(L 







cv"' 'V/- 



"^ "^ 















'<'■. -^^ 






^' ,'i«^l 













°o 









^^ / 



■^bV* .°'^,. 








" '\ ■'^^^' 




^°X 






■-^^v> ;,:. 






"'^. 




;^^/ 






. % „ %^^ 








. ■»> « " ' • ^^ 


c^ 


/i - 


•o i-V 




.H <=,. 




;.<>-^^ 








*-* A* 


i'-% 



■^0/ /X ^m?' .^"- 






aV-^,. 










■ '^ 



^o/'i'rt-r-' ^c 



















^ '^^ 







^ . 



^. *'-'^* .V 



> 



%.^ 







•^^.- 



tii>^m= 



<^/,'o ^5^. .^ .\ 



<V^ ^^ ""^ A^ '^i*. 



:<v^ .4^ /a^^a,'- ^^. av 




CaptOzro J.Dodds. Major W.H.Chamberlin. 

Adjutant JohnRHunt.^^P^-^^^"^'' ^^"'- CaptW.A, Johnson. 



\.\'aV./ 




SurgeonWH.Lainme. * .. io^t , ■, Sur^eon.R.G.M'I^Lean 

Lieut. Col.W.H. Hill. ^ MajorFrank Evans. 

Major W Clay Henry. 



OF THE O^r^]^! 4|; 



EIGHTY-FIRST REGIMENT 



OHIO INFANTRY VOIONTEBRS, 



DURING THE 



WAR OF THE REBELLIOK 



EY W. H. CHAMBEELlIi, 



Late Major of the Begiment. 




CINCINNATI: 

GAZETTE STEAM PRINTING HOUSE, COR. FOURTH & VINE STREETS. 

1865. 



tr 



<) 



.A 



h 



^* 



'h 



PREFACE 



In preparing this Book it has been my aim to present the History 
of the Kegiment as distinctly as possible, and yet to make the ac- 
count of its operations intelligible to the general reader, by giving 
such accompanying descriptions of Battles and Campaigns as were 
necessary. Up to the beginning of the Savannah Campaign, I was 
able to obtain the facts requisite for this plan, but from that time to 
the close of the "War, I was compelled to relinquish the general 
account of the movements of the rest of the Division, Corps and 
Army, and confine myself simply to the doings of the Eighty-First 
Ohio. This, however, does not detract from the interest of the story 
to those who passed through those Campaigns, as their own knowl- 
edge of events will serve to supplement this account. 

It may be v/ell to record here that the cost of publishing a suffi- 
cient number of copies to supply one, gratis, to each member of the 
Regiment serving between the dates of June 1, 1863, and January 
1, 1865, was defrayed by an appropriation from the Regimental 
Fund. 

There w^as no provision for the expense of portraits in the appro- 
priation for publishing the Book; hence, inasmuch as it was su"-- 
gested that they would form a desirable feature, I issued a circular 
to all the Officers requesting them to permit the insertion of their 
portraits, at their expense, and naming the lowest sum at which it 
could be done. The result is before the roader. ]!!^o one will reo-ret 
more than myself the absence of many familiar faces, — especially 
of the dead — but it is too late now to remedy it, and I feel that I 
have used every means in my power, without success. 

The design of producing this little work originated in the belief 
that such a record, in a permanent form, would be acceptable to the 
living as a memento of their suffering and services in the War of 
the Rebellion, and that it also might serve as a slight tribute to the 
memory of those gallant and heroic members of our Regiment who 
have laid their lives upon their Country's altar. W. H, C. 

Athens, O., Dec. 1, 186G. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

ORGANIZATION — BATTLE OF SlllLOH. 

An Adopted Child. — Independent Kegiment. — Under tho Path- 
finder. — Captain O'Kane's Company " Kidnapped." — Ohio Claim? 
the Eighty-First. — Benton Barracks. — "Eifles at Franklin. — 
Hermann. — After Jeff. Jones. — Pursuit of Cobb. — Stationed. — 
Marching Orders. — Aboard the Meteor. — Pittsburg Landing. — 
Assigned to Second Brigade. — Battle of Shiloh. — Death of Cap- 
tain Armstrong. — Second Days' Battle. — The 81st Takes a Bat- 
tery. — Bravery of Lieutenant Post. — Victory! : Paok 9 

CHAPTER II. 

CORINTH — HAMBURG — BATTLE OF CORINTH. 

General Davies and General Oglesby. — Advance on Corinth. — Skirm- 
ish. — Kesignation and Promotions. — March to Boonville. — Brig- 
ade Drills. — Cutting Down a Forest. — Kecruiting Party Sent 
North. — Hamburg.— Sergeant Howell's Adventure on Steamer 
Terry. — Lieutenant Irion the Last Commandant at Shiloh. — Ee- 
turn to Corinth. — Battle of luka. — Battle of Corinth. — Almost 
a Defeat. — Death of General Hackelman. — Brilliant Charge. — 
General Oglesby Wounded. — Anxious Night. — Second Day.-- 
Eebels Defeated.— Loss of 81st Ohio.— Serg't McCall__.PAGE 2l' 

CHAPTER III. 

PURSUIT OF PRICE — GARRISON DUTY. 

To Bridge Creek.— Frightened Contrabands.— Night March. — Truce 
Party. — Eeturn. — General Dodge. — " Massa Lied " — Arrival of 
Five New Companies. — Their Eeception. — Drill. — How Water 
Was Furnished. — Festivities. — Colored Weddings Page 34 

CHAPTER IV. 

WINTER AT CORINTH. 

Expedition to Tupelo. — Eeturn. — Forrest Cuts the Eailroad. — Half 
Eations. — Bliss of Ignorance. — Fruitless March, — Muddy Trip. 
— Night on a Barge. — Naval Expedition. — A Wheel Breaks, — 
Back to Corinth. — Model Camp. — Celebration of Shiloh _. Page 4? 



6 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER .V. 

EXPEDITION TO TUSCUMBIA. 

Fording Bear Creek. — Eight with Eoddy. — Object of the Expedi- 
tion. — Skirmish at "Rock Cut." — Tiiscumbia Taken. — Colonel 
Straight Departs at Midnight. — Demon strr.tion at Town Creek. 
— Grand Skirmish Line. — Eeturn to Corinth.— Summer Quar- 
ters Page 51 

CHAPTER VI. 

POCAHONTAS AND PULASKI. 

March to Pocahontas. — Terrific Storm. — Good Living. — General Og- 
lesby's Farewell Address.— Building Winter Quarters.— Goodby 
" Camp Brough."— March to Pulaski, Tennessee.— Muddy Biv- 
ou^ac, — Lumber that Could "Walk.- Milling.— Regiment Divided. 
-General Dodge's Plan for Foraging.— Captain Hill Superin- 
tendent of Mills Page 61 

CHAPTER VII. 

AT PULASKI. 

Little Johnny Nott Captures a Captain.— Routine of Duty — Re-en- 
listing as Veterans.— To Lynn ville.— Guerrilla Captures.— To Pu- 
laski Again.— Rail Making on Martin's Plantation.— A Sudden 
Movement.— Military Execution Page 69 

CHAPTER VIII. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM PULASKI TO RESACA. 

• 
Anniversary of Advance on Corinth.— First Day's March.— Taking 

Cars.— Chickamauga.— Snake Creek Gap. — Skirmish at Resaca 

Why Resaca was not Captured.— "Johnston'sComingl"__PAQE 78 

CHAPTER IX. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM SNAKE CREEK GAP TO LAY's 

FERRY. 

The First Ditch.— The Union Hosts Marshaled.— Battle of Resaca 

Laying Pontoons.— Oostenaula River.—" Muslin Ships,''— Who 
Shall Cross?— The Forlorn Hope.—" Too Late ["—Success.— Three 
Capture Eleven.— Close of Battle at Resaca.— Pontoons Laid — 
Enemy Charge.— Color-Bearer Wounded Page 84 



CONTENTS. ^ 7 

CHAPTER X. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM LAY'S FERRY TO BIG SHANTY. 

Battle of Kome Cross Koads. — Enemy Driven. — Colonel Burke 
Wounded. — Grand Kace. — Johnston Stops to Tight at Etowah 
Kiver — .But Kuns Again.— McPherson Makes a Second Elank 
Movement.— Yan "Wert.— Dallas.— Kebel Assault.—Eice's Brigade 
Kepulses It.— Fatal Skirmishing.- Kebels Interrupt a Movement. 
—Night Attack.— Eire Works on a Grand Scale.— General Dodge 
as Ordnance Officer.— General McPherson's Tiger Hard to Let 
Go.— Colonel Mersey Gets Out of a Trap.— March to Acworth.- 
To Big Shanty Page 94 

CHAPTER XI. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM BIG SHANTY TO KENNESAW 
MOUNTAIN. 

Enemy's Watch Tower.— Skirmish Eiring.— Artillery Combata.- 
"Old Leather Breeches." — A Picket Truce. — Unceremoniousiy 
Closed.- Kebels Eall Back.— General Sherman Going Into Ma- 
rietta.— Kennesaw in His Way.— A Locomotive on Picket. — Com- 
fortable Prospect.— Advance on the 27th of June Page 109 

CHAPTER XII. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM KENNESAW MOUNTAIN TO NEAR 
ATLANTA. 

Artillery Practice.— Soldiers' Concert.— McPherson to Make Another 
Elank Movement. — Kennesaw Ours !— Nickajack Creek. — ^Novel 
Celebration of July 4th.— Lieutenant Lockwood Wounded.__ 
Battle of Kuff's Mills.— On to the Chattahoochee.— Eletcher g 
Haynes.— Erom Eight to Left.— What a Dying Mule Can Do.— 
Hot March.— Koswell. — Eording the Chattahoochee.— Advance 
©n Atlanta.— Decatur.— Closing In Around Atlanta Page 116 

CHAPTER XIII. , 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — BATTLES OF JULY 22d AND 28tH. 

Hood's Stratagem.— Defeated by Accident.— Skirmishing in the 
Rear ! — General Sweeney's Command in Line of Battle. — The 
Enemy !— Desperate Eighting !— Victorious Charge.— General 
McPherson Killed.— Eifteenth Corps Assaulted.— DeGres' Bat- 
tery Taken.— Colonel Mersey's Brigade Helps to Regain It.— 
•' Killed," Captain Charles Lane.— Lieutenant Hoover.— Colonel 
Mersey Parts from His Command.— To the Right.— Battle of the 
28th.— Siege of Atlanta.— Resignations.— Promotions.— General 
Dodge Wounded.— Exploit of Corporal Harpster Page 130 



8 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTEE XIV. 

-' ATLANTA OURS, AND FAIRLY WON." 

Final Flank Movement. — Army of tbe Tennessee Again on the 
Right. — Destroying Railroad. — Contrabands Delighted, — Battle 
of Jonesboro. — Atlanta Taken ! — To Lovejoy's. — Back to East 
Point.— M. R. Blizzard Died.— "A Full Month's Rest."— Muster 
Out of Non-veterans Page 141 

CHAPTEE XV. 

THE MARCH FROM ATLANTA TO THE SEA. 

lTo Rome.— Left Wing 16th Army Corps Discontinued. — Promotions. 
—Hood Tries to Drive Sherman Northward. — Beginning of a 
Long Journey. — Atlanta Destroyed. — Thanksgiving Dinner in 
Georgia.— Palm Trees.— A Lost Brigade. — Fight at Eden. — Col- 
onel Adams' Brigade Captures Artillery, &c. — F. B. Haynes 
'Killed. — Fort McAllister Taken. — Daring Feat of Captain Mc- 
Cain, Lieutenant Pittman and Their Parties. — Into Savannah. — 
Feasting. — General Logan Returns Page 147 

CHAPTEE XVI. 

THROUGH THE CAROLINAS TO PEACE. 

iTo Sister's Ferry. — Entering the "Kingdom" of South Carolina. — 
DiflSculties. — Columbia Captured. — Colonel Adams Takes Cam- 
den. — "Bummers" Have a Fight. — Terrific Explosion at Cher- 
aw. — Respect for North Carolina Loyalty. — Battle at Benton- 
ville. — General Sherman's Order. — Ragged Review.— Two New 
Companies. — Night March to Pikeville. — Raleigh. — Lee's Sur- 
render ! — Morrisville. — Johnston Surrenders ! — The War Over ! 
•'Homeward March." — Mustered Out at Louisville. — Paid and 
Discharged at Camp Dennison. — Home. — Summary — Page 157 

CHAPTEE XVII. 

THE RANK AND FILE OP THE EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO. 

iKxplanation. — Field and Staff. — Changes Therein. — Original Mem- 
bers of Company A.— Its Casualties. — The Same of Companies B 
and C. — Compilation from Muster-Out Rolls of Companies D, E 
and F. — Original Members of Company G. — Its Casualties. — The 
Same of Companies H and I. — Extracts from Muster-Out Roll 
of Company K. — The New Companies B and — List of 
Wounded Page 169 



HISTORY 

OF THE 



[IGUn-fim OHIO IHFIIIITIl! VOLOmK 



CHAPTER I. 

ORGANIZATION — BATTLE OF SHILOII. 

This regiment had an organization, which, perhaps, is 
unlike that of any other regiment sent into the field from- 
Ohio. It is an adopted child of the State, not one " to the 
manor born." 

In August, 1861, the 20th Ohio (three months' regiment) 
was mustered out of the service. For some reason its field 
officers were not appointed to re-organize it for the three 
years' service, as was the case with most of the other three 
months' regiments from Ohio. Its Colonel, however, with 
a portion of the Field and Staff, conceived the idea of rais- 
ing an independent regiment, without the aid of the State. 

At that time, G-eneral Fremont, commanding in Mis- 
souri, had undertaken the Herculean labor of not only 
commanding, but also of creating his army. Through his 
influence, the orders of the War Dej)artment were such 
that any one could enlist men for his army, and could 
have them mustered singly, or in squads, or companies, 
and forwarded to his headquarters at St. Louis. 

With one of General Fremont's Staif oflftcers, R. M. Cor- 



10 HISTORY OF THE 

wine, of Cincinnati, Colonel Thomas Morton, formerly Col- 
onel of the 20th Ohio, made a contract to raise a full reg- 
iment, which was to be armed with the "best of rifles, 
and was to be known as " Morton's Independent Rifle 
Regiment." 

The idea of independence, as well as that of carrying 
the best weapon — the rifle — was tempting to many. To 
others, the name of the Pathfinder had a peculiar charm, 
and they were ambitious to follow in the steps of such a 
leader. To most, however, the fact that they were at once 
transferred to the enemy's countr}^, instead of lying for 
weeks at home in camp, was most acceptable, and early in 
Sej^tembcr a very good basis for a regiment was collected. 

By some bad management, however, one full company, 
that of Captain Peter O'Kane, of Eaton, Ohio, after hav- 
ing been sent to St. Louis, as the first fruits of the " Inde- 
pendent Regiment," was actually taken possession of by 
Colonel Crafts J. Wright, of Cincinnati, who was also or- 
ganizing an independent regiment, and was incorporated 
into Ms regiment. This loss, together with the fact that 
one or two companies which were expected to join Mor- 
ton's regiment were prevailed upon to go elsewhere, de- 
layed the filling up of the regiment so that it did not seem 
likely that the Colonel would fulfil his contract in the time 
allowed. 

At this juncture. State pride fortunately intervened. 
Colonel Morton had taken some five or six hundred men 
from Ohio into the United States' service, beyond the con- 
trol of the State. Although no draft was then feared, and 
" quotas " were far more than filled, yet the State desired 
to have credit for all the men furnished, and to number as 
many regiments as her neighbors. The State Avas not 
slow, then, to accept the proposition to take the '* Inde- 
jDcndent Regiment "into its fold, and give it a name. 

It was numbered the Eighty -first Ohio Infantry Volun- 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 11 

teers. It was agreed that the officers already appointed 
should be commissioned by the Governor, and the State 
authorities were pledged to use every endeavor to have the 
regiment filled to the maximum. 

Benton Barracks was the rendezvous of all the troops 
sent to Fremont's Department. In the spacious quarters 
and ample grounds of that well known military Camj) of 
Instruction the regiment entered on its first military du- 
ties. Drill and guard duty were the daily routine during 
the short time the regiment remained at that place. On the 
24tli of September, 1861, the detachment received march- 
ing orders, and on the following day was taken to Frank- 
lin, Missouri, on the Pacific Railroad, under command of 
Captain R. N. Adams, there being no field ofiicer present. 
There the men received arms. Imagine the surprise and 
indignation of the " Rifle Regiment " when they found 
that they were receiving old United States muskets, for 
buck and ball, formerly flint locks, but now changed to 
percussion ! But as they were assured this was but a tem- 
porary arrangement, to equip them for an emergency, the 
complaint was not loud. In a day or two the regiment 
was ordered to Hermann, Missouri, still farther west on 
the river and railroad. Here the regiment went into 
camjo, and under command of Lieutenant Colonel John A. 
Turley, was industrious in drill, and attained a tolerable 
degree of skill in the evolutions. The regiment now had 
reached its maximum, not the legal, but the possible. 
Counting Captain O'Kane's company, which had been 
spirited away, it numbered eight companies, of which but 
four were full. At this time the real organization was as 
follows : Company B., Captain Armstrong, recruited at 
Lima, Allen couffty, Ohio ; Company C, Captain Adams, 
recruited at Greenfield, Highland county, Ohio ; Company 
D., Captain P. A. Tyler, recruited at Sankusky, QUawa- ^'(•^U 
county, Ohio ; Company E., Captain Taylor, recruited at 



12 HISTORY OF THE 

Lima, Allen county, Ohio; Comi^any F., Captain Dodds, 
recruited at Buena Yista, Adams county, Ohio ; Company 
G., Captain Kinsell, recruited at Mt. Gilead, Morrow coun- 
ty, Ohio, and Company H., Captain Hughes, recruited at 
Lima, Allen county, Ohio. The aggregate was nearly six 
hundred, exclusive of Captain O'Kane's company. 

In November of that year, rumors came of a rebel force 
collecting in Callaway county, across the river, under one 
Colonel Jeff. Jones. Ceneral Prentiss, who was then at 
Jefferson City, ordered the 81st Ohio and the 10th Missou- 
ri, with a section of German Home Guard artillery from 
Hermann by railroad to St. Auberts, where a boat was in 
readiness to ferry across the Missouri. It required twenty- 
four hours to make this movement, and it was nearly dark 
when the crossing was completed. It was about fifteen 
miles from the place of crossing to the rebel camp, and 
the march was to be made that night. The troops were in 
high spirits. Elated with the novelty of the hour and the 
imagined victory that awaited them, they went gaily along. 
At daybreak the camp was neared, and a halt and rest was 
ordered. When the march was resumed it was but a little 
while until our forces entered the town of Fulton, only to 
learn that the rebels had broken up camp, and had dis- 
persed, in accordance with an agreement made the pre- 
vious day between Jeff. Jones and General Henderson, 
who was commanding State troops in that region. Noth- 
ing was left but to return, which was done, the steamer 
White Cloud conveying the entire force from St. Auberts 
to Hermann. 

In December, Lieutenant-Colonel Turley's resignation 
was accepted, and as Major Lamison was still in Ohio, Col- 
onel Morton was the only field officer pretent. 

December 20, 1861, guerrillas in Northern Missouri tore 
up the North Missouri railroad. Orders came immediate- 
ly for the force at Hermann to cross and march to the 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 13 

railroad for the purpose of driving out the troublesome 
bauds. The weather was extremely cold, and there was 
no boat on which to cross. A day or two was frittered 
away in attempts to cross with skiffs. At length a ferry 
boat from down the river was obtained, and the crossing 
effected by midnight of the of 24th of December. Snow 
was on the ground and the weather was extremely cold, 
yet the troops gathered around their fires and were com- 
fortable. The first day's march brought the force to the 
railroad at High Hill. That night a refugee froni Dan- 
ville, nine miles distant, brought word that a band of rebels 
under Cobb were in that town. The troo23s were so 
wearied that the Colonel thought it unwise to attempt to 
go there that night, yet it was necessary to keep it a secret 
to avoid being annoyed by voluntary applications for per- 
mission to go and attack them. 

In the morning, after a reconnoisance made by Adju- 
tant Evans and others of the 81st Ohio, it was deter- 
mined to " move in force " upon Danville, the county seat 
of Montgomery County. It was three o'clock in the even- 
ing when the advance reached town, and learned that the 
rebel rear had just left. After a slight halt, during which 
a few mounted men had found the rebels in line of battle 
just outside the town, the exciting word of " fall in !" rung 
through the town. In a twinkling knapsacks were un- 
slung, and a pursuit commenced. Yain, however, as the 
rebels were mounted, and could easily evade us. Here the 
regiment lost its first prisoner. Scott, of Company F., who 
was out as a skirmisher, and becoming lost, walked direct- 
ly into the rebel camp. 

We had the satisfiiction of hearino- however, that we 
had driven the rebel force upon other troops at Silver 
Creek, where they were beaten and dispersed. During the 
next two weeks the regiment was marching through North 
Missouri, sleeping on the ground, in snow and sleet and 



14 HISTORY OF THE 

rain, with no covering but the blankets carried along. At 
the end of that time it was stationed at Wellsville, Mont- 
gomery City, Florence and Danville, on the N. M. K. R. 
with headquarters at the latter place. 

During the two months the regiment was thus stationed 
it did an enormous amount of work in scouting, arresting 
accomplices and principals in the work of destroying the 
railroad, and in restoring peace and quiet to the whole 
country round about. 

About the 1st of March, 1862, orders were received to 
report to General Halleck, at St. Louis. In a few days 
the regiment was gathered together, and was in the city. 
Colonel Morton reported in person to General Halleck, and 
received orders to go in Barracks until his regiment could 
be equipped and ready for the field. Never were troops 
more elated than was the 81st regiment upon the receipt 
of that order. Being an incomplete regiment many had 
thought it would never be sent to the field, but would al- 
ways be kept guarding railroads, or such duty. With light 
hearts the boys marched into Benton Barracks once more. 
In a day or two the hight of joy was reached by the reg- 
iment, upon receiving an order to turn over the hated old 
muskets, and receive new short Enfield Eifles. Scarcely 
was this completed until marching orders were received, 
and in the clear moonlight of early evening, with flashing 
bayonets fixed, and martial strains from its band, the 81st 
Ohio made a triumphal march through the city of St. 
Louis, and embarked on the steamer Meteor. 

This was just after the successes of Grant at Forts Hen- 
ry and Donelson, and at the beginning of the collection 
of the vast army since known as the Army of the Tennes- 
see. Every steamer almost on the western waters was 
chartered by Government, conveying troops and munitions 
of war to the place of rendezvous for this new army. 

The steamer Meteor, with excellent luck, made an easy 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 15 

and quick voyage to Pittsburg Landing, arriving there at 
about midnight of March 17th. Colonel Morton, with al- 
most superhuman efforts, succeeded in effecting a landing 
of the troops, and all stores and equipments that night, 
which was a fortunate thing, as, in the crowded condition 
of the landing at that time, troops were often compelled 
to remain on board the crowded and filthy boats for sev- 
eral days in succession. 

Dull indeed was the prospect as the soldiers awoke that 
morning from their brief hour of sleep. A wilderness lay 
before them ; behind, was many a weary mile back to 
home and civilization. As they sat on the ground in that 
little corn-field, afterward the Hospital ground, many a 
tender line was written to the far-off friends in the distant 
North. 

Tents were soon pitched near the old army Post-office, 
and the regiment patiently awaited orders. As isolated 
regiments were arriving daily, it was several days before 
they could be assigned. In a few days the 81st Ohio was 
assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division of the 
Army of the Tennessee, and removed its camp to the place 
assigned to its Brigade, near the right rear of that en- 
campment. The Second Brigade was then commanded by 
Colonel McArthur, of the 12th Illinois, and the Second 
Division by General C. F. Smith. The regiment went ear- 
ne^stly into the duty of drilling, under the direction most- 
ly of Adjutant Evans, and attained a proficiency that was 
valuable in the coming contest. 

Sabbath morning of April 6, 1862, beamed brightly. 
Aside from flying rumors of skirmishes near the outposts, 
the most of the troops were entirely ignorant of the pres- 
ence of an enemy. The usual morning inspection was in 
progress, when the sound of artillery and musketry far off 
to the front and left announced the opening of the battle. 
Orders were immediately given to fall in, and await or- 



16 HISTORY OF THE 

dcrs. Before the regiment was in line orders came, and 
were to the effect that the regiment should proceed to a 
bridge across Snake Creek, which formed the boundary 
of the encampment on the right. As soon as possible the 
regiment was in the position assigned. Deploying a com- 
pany as skirmishers, Colonel Morton quietly awaited in 
that deep Avoods the development of events. Louder and 
louder, and nearer were the crashing of artillery, and the 
continuous roar of musketry. We could only guess that 
our troops were being driven back — we could see nothing. 
At last, at nearly noon, we were withdrawn and placed in 
position on our own color line. The first evidences of our 
discomfiture came pouring in wpon us in the form of 
straggling groups of wounded and demoralized troops 
from regiments that had been in action. Thej all told 
sorrowful tales of how their regiments were all cut up. 
It was nearly one o'clock when the 81st Ohio first saw the 
enemy approaching its front. It was a small cavalry force, 
and as our position was favorable, a volley from the two 
companies on the right put them to flight. 

Meantime the conflict on the left was progressing, and 
the sound approached alarmingly near. About two o'clock 
there was a lull. Our line had fallen back almost as far 
as it could or would go. The enemy, too, seemed wary of 
approaching nearer. At this juncture General Grant or- 
dered Colonel Morton to move toward the centre of our 
entire line of battle, and then forward until he found the 
enemy. The movement was cautiously made. Starting 
up a ravine in rear of our line, he proceeded thus for some 
distance, until he could go unperceived to the front, and 
then passed through our line of battle at a point where 
General Sherman was watching the movements of the en- 
emy. Passing in a diagonal direction toward the front 
and left, the Colonel soon found his little regiment alone 
far in advance of our main line, and entirely out of sight 



EIGHTY -FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 17 

of it. The ground was nearly level, but it was a forest, 
and covered more or less with undergrowth. As the left 
of the regiment (it was marching by flank, left in front,) 
emerged into a clear piece of ground, it was suddenly 
greeted with a discharge of canister from a battery not 
more than two hundred yards away. It was directed, no 
doubt, at the Colonel and his party, who were riding in 
advance of the regiment. One of tile Orderlies was se- 
verely wounded, and was left. He belonged to the 4th U. 
S. Cavalry. The regiment immediately formed line "faced 
to the rear," and lying down delivered a volley or two 
which had the effect of silencing the enemy's fire. Evi- 
dently our little force perplexed the rebel commander, and 
he wanted time to ascertain our intentions. Lying there 
we could distinctly see the interminable lines of the ene- 
my, dotted with their banners, and waiting for orders. 
Not liking our position, Colonel Morton ordered a move- 
ment a little farther to the left, in a little ravine. To do 
this a road, swept by the enemy's battery at short range, 
had to be passed. A company at a time ran the gauntlet, 
and thus the whole regiment was safely re-formed in the 
ravine. While in this position a cavalry force of the en- 
onemy commenced a movement to get behind our left, but 
before it was completed. General Grant ordered the regi- 
ment back to the main lines. As this movement was be- 
gun the enemy opened again with grape and canister, and 
just us Captain Martin Armstrong, who commanded the 
right company, gave the command, " by file right, march f* 
a grape shot struck him in the head and killed him in- 
stantly. His Orderly Sergeant caught him in his arms 
and bore him from the field. The regiment was extricated 
without further loss, and upon reporting to General Grant, 
Colonel Morton was complimented ujDon having foiled the 
enemy and kept him in check until our main line could be 
firmly established. He was then ordered to take a place 



18 HISTORY OF THE 

in line again, near the right. Before this was completed, 
the famous artillery duel, with which the first day ended, 
was commenced. Taking position in line where it then 
was, the regiment lay with anxious suspense, listening to 
the unearthly screams of the shells flying over or bursting 
near them. 

Night brought silence, except the regular booming of 
the huge guns of the^ gunboats, but it brought no rest ex- 
cept what the wearied soldiers could gain on the hard 
damp ground. 

Morning of April 7th found the Army of the Tennessee 
in line, re-assured by the timelj^ arrival of Buell's army, 
and ready for the signal to advance. 

The Second Division, to which the 81st Ohio belonged, 
had suffered extremely the first day. Its commander^ 
General W. H. L. Wallace, (General Smith being too un- 
well to take the field,) had been killed, and Colonel Tuttle, 
2nd Iowa, had assumed command. He was wounded, 
leaving the command to Colonel McArthur, 12th Illinois. 

The regiments had become scattered during the day and 
night, and there being no time for regular organization, 
provisional brigades were appointed. Colonel Morton was 
appointed to the command of one of these. 

The advance was a grand sight. To the right and left, 
as far as the eye could reach, could be seen the blue lines 
of the Federal army, displaying the bright colors of the 
Stars and Stripes in beautiful contrast with the dull leaden 
liue of the yet unclothed trees. Tliere was a mile of 
marching before the enemy was found, although other 
portions of the line were engaged. At last, after crossing 
an open field, the 81st Ohio took position in a little ravine, 
and was surprised to find a rude breastwork of logs, man- 
ned by the enemy, and completely raking the regiment 
from left to right. The rebels were not slow to open fire, 
and when it was discovered, and, that the shell and shot 
from two opposite batteries were also flying through our 
ranks, it was determined to withdraw. Owing to the favora- 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INEANTRY VOLS. l9 

ble nature of the ground, this was done with but small loss. 
It was in this movement that the second member of the 
regiment fell, private Wm. Me. Adams, of Company C. 

As a portion of the Provisional brigade was then en- 
gaged, and as Colonel Morton was provided with neither 
Staff nor Orderlies, he relin«|uished his brigade and took 
charge of the regiment. The action at that time had be- 
come so general and so close, that it was but a short time 
until the 81st Ohio found itself again alone, and closely 
confronting a rebel force. Lying down, the eager boys 
opened a brisk fire, which was as hotly returned by the 
enemy. In the crash of musketry and the rattle of the 
balls there was engendered a kind of fierce frenzy which 
prevented the falling here and there of a comrade from 
causing a single heart to quail. So furiously did our brave 
boys ply the rebels with their cold lead that at last they 
broke and fled. No sooner was this perceived than the 
81st rose, and with yells that spoke their first feeling of 
victory, followed the vanquished foe. So wild was their 
enthusiasm that they never halted or paused until they 
had gone far in advance of any support, aud suddenly 
found themselves flanked by both artillery and infantr3^ 
Even then it was with difliculty that they were withdrawn. 
In this charge the little regiment had caj)tured a rebel 
battery, and killed all the horses. It had also captured a 
number of prisoners. It was here that its princij^al loss 
was sustained. Lieutenant Post, while gallantly cheering 
on his men, was mortally wounded, and many others were 
killed and wounded. 

It was now about the close of the struggle. Discom- 
fited, the rebels sullenly withdrew, and left General 
Grant master of the field. Eest, and caring for the dead 
and wounded occupied the next day. Then came nearly 
a month of inactivity, during which General Ilalleck ar- 
rived and assumed command. Re-organization and rein- 
forcements made it soon the largest army that had yet 
been collected d urine: the war. 



CHAPTEE II. 

CORINTH — HAMBURG — BATTLE OF CORINTH. 

Brigadier-General T. A. Davies was appointed comman- 
der of the Second Division, and Brigadier-General E. J. 
Oglesby appointed to the command of the 2d Brigade, 
•which included the 81st Ohio. 

On the 29th of April the 2d Division started toward 
Corinth. Early in May it took its position beyond Mon- 
terey, in the grand line of approach formed by General 
Halleck. It was the third division in the line, counting 
from the right. Sherman was on the extreme right, then 
Hurlbut, then Davies, then the right division of Buell's 
army. In Davies' division the 81st Ohio occupied the left, 
of the 2d Brigade — the 3d Brigade being between it and 
Buell's force. 

There was nothing of importance occurred in this ad- 
vance, except that on the 21st of May, when a general ad- 
vance was ordered, the 81st participated in the very con- 
siderable skirmish which ensued, and lost several wounded. 

Major Lamison resigned immediately after the battle of 
Shiloh, on account of ill-health. In May the Governor 
appointed Captain Robert JST. Adams Lieutenant-Colonel, 
vice Turley, and Adjutant Frank Evans, Major, vice Lami- 
son. Major Evans immediately entered upon his duties, 
but Colonel Adams was absent, sick, and did not return 
until August. 

After the evacuation of Corinth, the 2d Division partic- 
ipated in the pursuit, going as far as Boonville. Taking 
into consideration the condition of the troops, from their 
constant watching for a month, and the fact that the heat 
was intense, that march to Boonville and return to Corinth 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 21 

was the most severe the regiment ever performed. It 
was with a grateful sense of relief that the weary men 
encamped near Corinth on the 12th of June, with a pros- 
pect of rest. 

The life of a soldier, although often styled lazy, is never 
one of rest. To sustain dicipline, to preserve health, and 
to insure safety, there is a necessity for constant watch- 
fulness, so that to many, a campaign is preferable to gar- 
rison duty. In this instance the rest was little more than 
the privilege of keeping camp in one place. General Da- 
vies, the Division Commander, went North on sick leave. 
General Oglesby relinquished command of the 2d Brigade 
to assume command of the Division, and Colonel Crafts 
J. Wright, 22d Ohio, took command of the Brigade. He 
insisted on the most industrious drills, himself taking 
charge of brigade drills, that began at daylight, before 
breakfast, and continued until eight or nine o'clock, by 
which time both officers and men would be well nigh ex- 
hausted. How many a poor soldier of the 2d Brigade 
lias reason to thank the surgeons who interfered to have 
this well-intended, but mistaken system of drills abolished ! 
Then there was the picket duty — the inter^minable details 
for fatigue duty, and the forage details, and the Sunday 
afternoon brigade dress parade, with its three hours slow 
ceremony — all these combined to make the rest merely 
nominal. 

In this condition of affairs, about the middle of July 
the 81st Ohio was detailed to work on the grand chain of 
fortifications which General Halleck began to build around 
Corinth. Beginning at the Kossuth road, on the south- 
west, it had the duty assigned it of felling the timber to 
form abatis in front of the line. The timber was very 
heavy — the weather oppressively hot, and of course, the 
duty was no light one. But the " boys " understood how 
to make work light, and as the adjoining fields furnished 



22 HISTORY OF THE 

an ample suj^ply of green corn, and the orchards yielded 
peaches and apples, they were contented and healthy. 
For some reason not now remembered, the supply of cloth- 
ing was exhausted about that time, and the men were in 
a condition of raggedness never equaled before or since. 
They often spoke of the appropriateness of that kind of 
backwoods service under the circumstances. By the mid- 
dle of August the regiment had felled a belt of timber 
three hundred yards in width, and extending from the 
Kossuth Road to the Memj^his railroad — a distance of 
about four miles. It made a mark there which centuries 
can not efface. 

In July of this year, by order of General Halleck, a re- 
cruiting party, consisting of Quartermaster Adams, Lieu- 
tenant W. C. Henry, and Sergeants Darling, Johnson and 
Pittman, was sent to Ohio with authority to obtain enough 
recruits to fill up the regiment. To this end, Company H. 
was discontinued and its members assigned to Company 
E. Company Gr. was in like manner consolidated with Com- 
pany F. This made five minimum companies in the 
regiment. 

About the middle of August the 81st Ohio was ordered 
to Hamburg, on the Tennessee river. It marched there 
in an afternoon and morning. The object of sending it 
was to relieve the 14th Wisconsin, which was there on 
duty, and to guard the public stores at that place until 
they could be removed. The place was about to be given 
up. Colonel Morton assumed command of the post. Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Adams was made Provost Marshal, and 
Major Evans was left in command of the regiment. The 
month spent at Hamburg was a happy and eventful one. 
A little mounted force was organized, which, under com- 
mand of Lieutenant Corns, scoured the country effectually, 
and brought grief to the guerrillas who lurked in that lo- 
cality. A detail of ten or twelve men, under Sergeant 
Howell, was ordered down the river from Hamburg, on 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 23 

board the steamer Terry, as a guard for it, to Padiicali. 
A gunboat also accompanied as a convoy. The Terry had 
aboard two steel Wiard guns to aid in her protection. 

The downward trip was successfully made. On the re- 
turn, while the Terry was lying by one night, near the 
mouth of Duck River, with a few pickets on shore, Napier, 
with a heterogeneous rabble of troops, guerrillas and 
citizens made a descent on the boat, dispersed the pickets 
before they could reach the landing — captured the boat 
and entire crew, including several of the men of the Slst 
Ohio. The gunboat was not at hand to render assistance. 
The guns and whatever else of value was on the boat was 
then taken off; and the Terry was consigned to the flames. 
The pickets, four or five in number, who were cut off from 
the boat, seeing the capture, determined to make the best 
of their way back to Hamburg. Casting their guns and 
accouterments into the Tennessee River, they wandered 
along as best they could up the river until they found a 
man whom they ventured to trust with the truth of their 
situation. They happened to open their case to a Union 
man, and he directed them to Lexington, on the Corinth 
and Columbus railroad, whence they reached Corinth by 
rail and marched to Hamburg. 

While at Hamburg the Provost Marshal's office was 
crowded with citizens flocking in from the neighboring 
counties to take the oath. Colonel Adams was constantly 
employed in this business. Lieutenant Irion, who, with 
a detachment of about twenty men occupied Pittsburg 
Landing, was also Provost Marshal, and had his hands 
full of work in swearing the citizens who were eager to be 
numbered with the loyal. This was the last military oc- 
cupation of that classic field of blood — Shiloh battle-field. 

Long will the members of the Slst remember with pleas- 
ure their brief month at Hamburg. The vegetables that 
made their tables groan — the luscious fruits and melons 



24 HISTORY OP THE 

that were theirs in abundance — the rare fish that leaped 
from the Tennessee— the rarer sport of bathing in that 
noble river — all these luxuries of a soldiers' life, their la- 
ter experience taught them to remember and appreciate. 

About the middle of September the order came to evac- 
uate Hamburg, and return to Corinth. All the public 
stores had been removed ; only one little steamer remained. 
This, by order of General Grant, was scuttled and sunk at 
the landing. About this time the enemy began to make 
bolder movements against us. Buell was about beginning 
hisfamous retrograde movement toward Louisville. Scarce- 
ly had we reached Corinth until the evacuation of luka 
began. The 81st was stationed on the east of Corinth and 
picketed the roads leading to luka. Well do some of us 
remember the frightened movements of the cavalry from 
luka, as they chassezed in and out of Corinth for one or 
two days. And we remember, too, the long, dark lines of 
contrabands, running for freedom and life into the city of 
refuge — Corinth. 

It was but a few days until orders were received to 
march. General Ord, then commanding the District of 
Corinth, took command of the body of troops that moved 
from Corinth on this expedition. General Grant himself 
accompanied General Ord's column. General Rosecrans 
moved on luka from Rienzi and vicinity by way of Jacin- 
to, expecting to take the rebel force, then occupying luka, 
in rear. General Ord moved to Burnsville, and there 
rested, waiting for Eosecrans to get up before he pressed 
against Price. He waited too long, however, as Eosecrans 
pushed on and fought the battle of luka alone. General 
Ord's column returned to Corinth, and the 2d Brigade took 
up camp in its old position, two miles south of Corinth, on 
the Mobile railroad, at a place known to us as the " Bri- 
gade Camp." 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 25 

Gen. Davics had, "before this, reiiirued to the command 
of the division, and Gen. Oglesby, the idol of his men, had 
resumed command of his old brigade. 

On Thursday evening, Oct. 2d, orders were issued to be 
ready to move at a moment's notice. At 3 A. M. Gen. 
Oglesby's brigade was formed on the color line, but rested 
until after daylight, when it, with the remainder of the 
division, marched off toward Corinth. Immedii;tely after 
the battle of luka, Gen. Grant had removed his headquar- 
ters to Jackson, Tenn., and Gen. Ord had been relieved by 
Gen. Rosecrans. This left Gen. Rosecrans commander of 
all the troops in the district of Corinth, consisting of two 
divisions of Gen. Pope's old Army of the Mississippi and 
the 2d and 6th Divisions of the Army of the Tennessee. 
Gen. Rosecrans had concentrated his whole army within 
reach of Corinth, and was ready for the blow which was 
about to fall. 

But as my narrative will hardly justify me in going be- 
yond the brigade, I return to it, where we left it, marching 
toward Corinth on the eventful morning of the 3d of Oc- 
tober, 1862. When half way to the town, artillery was 
distinctly heard to the northwest. It was the first intima- 
tion to many that a battle was to be fought. The rebels, 
after luka, had apparently never halted, but kept right on 
through Tupelo and Ripley to Pocahontas, and following 
the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, were aj^proaching 
Corinth from the northwest. 

As Gen. Oglesby entered the town, it was evident that 
something was going to happen. Troops were moving in 
every direction, teams were driving at break-neck speed, 
and all the usual business appearance of the town was 
giving way to inextricable confusion. At the same time, 
the sound of artillery grew more distinct and nearer, and 
orderlies and staff officers were dashing by "on hurried 
hoof." Soon Gen. Davies' division marched out by Battery 



26 HISTORY OF THE 

Robinett, on the north side of the Memphis & Charleston 
Railroad. Going but a short distance into the timber, it 
was halted, and here a stream of the superfluities of the 
outer camps in that direction passed us, going in to Cor- 
inth. It was evident that the battle had reached the posi- 
tion of our outposts. Here and there a wounded man 
passed by. Col. Baldwin, with the 3d Brigade, was sent 
off to the left, and took position where the old line of rebel 
works touch the M. & C. R. R., about three miles from 
Corinth. The 2d Brigade went into the rebel works a 
half mile further to the right, while the 1st Brigade was 
on- its right. The line, thus partially covered by but little 
over two thousand men, was nearly two miles in length. 
The regiments were stretched to their utmost capacity, 
in a thin line, but yet there were immense gaps which 
could not be filled. The 81st Ohio was placed on the left 
of the brigade, then a section of artillery just at the angle 
of the works, next the 12th Illinois, and on the right the 
9th Illinois. An old abatis, formed by felling the timber 
for the space of three hundred yards in front of the works, 
liad lost much of its strength by time, it having been made 
by the rebels before our occupation of the place. Bej^ond 
this was thick woods, whose abundant foliage, yet unhurt 
by the frost, formed an impenetrable cover for the move- 
ments of the rebel troops. Hardly had the troops of the 
1st and 2d Brigades got into position until it was manifest 
that they were not a moment too soon. Every now and 
then a rebel officer would ride out of the woods to take a 
view of our defenses, and it was evident that they were 
marshaling for a charge upon our works. Opposite the 
salient angle where a section of our artillery was posted, 
between the 12th Illinois and 81st Ohio, was a little 
eminence. On this the rebels placed two guns, and an- 
nounced their presence by a discharge of canister at our 
lines. Our battery replied vigorously and with great 



EI-GHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 27 

bravery, in a very exposed posittcrs; but with unlocked 
for impetuosity, the rebels, in overwhelming numbers, 
rushed from their cover into the abatis, and with demoniac 
yells moved upon our weak line. The crash and rattle and 
din that followed was like the struggle of two great mon- 
sters, terrific but brief. In five minutes from the time the 
rebels emerged from the woods, they had jpierced our line, 
captured several pieces of artillery and driven us from our 
works. Driven but not defeated, the gallant Oglesby 
immediately, with all the might of his earnest mind, set to 
work to rally his command. The result was that, with a 
victorious foe close on our heels, we were reformed not far 
from the line we had left — shattered and broken, it is true, 
and missing many brave men, but yet resolved to "do or 
die." Gen. Oglesby addressed a few cheering words to his 
broken column, and a new life seemed infused into every 
soldier. It was a sure harbinger of victory to come. 

The 1st Brigade had also been compelled to withdraw, at 
the same time, from its position on the right, and the 3d 
Brigade, away off on the left, was nearly cut oflP, but suc- 
ceeded finally in getting back to the position of the rest of 
the division. The troops evidently now had to be concen- 
trated. A new line was formed in front of the " White 
House," which, while forming, was furiously assailed by 
two batteries of the enemy, placed in close proximity to 
our lines. Our own batteries replied with spirit for some 
time, when they were ordered to withdraw. At the same 
time, our infantry was withdrawn to a line a short distance 
to the rear, running between the White House and Corinth. 
The rebels confidently pressed on, but our lines now being 
compact and without gaps as before, we maintained our 
position with firmness. On, on came the rebels , our troops, 
lying close to the ground, were unhurt by the rebel balls. 
It was here, while close behind the 81st Ohio, that the gal- 
lant Gen. P. A. Hackelman, of Indiana, was mortally 



28 HISTORY OF THE 

wounded. As he fell from his horse, he was caught by 
Private C. P. McClelland, and Major Evans of the 81st 
Ohio, and such care given him as the circumstances 
allowed. All at once, as if by magic, the long line arose, 
nerved to action by the sight of this beloved, dying Gen- 
eral, and with cheers that spoke the determination of their 
hearts, every man sprang forward ! Forward, borne by 
brave hearted men, sped the bright banners of every regi- 
ment. It was a grand sight ! In the hottest of the fray 
could be seen the now exultant Oglesby riding up and 
down the lines of his brigade, hat in hand, cheering, 
laughing and weeping for joy as he saw the complete vic- 
tory won now by his brigade and the others, which only a 
few hours before had been almost disgraced by defeat. 
Poor man ! just as the charge of our troops was about- 
ended, by driving the rebels back upon their reserves, he 
fell severely wounded. Our troops were now recalled, and 
the day's battle was ended. So furious had been our last 
charge that the rebels did not venture another attack that 
night. In this day's fighting the brunt of the battlefell up)on 
Oen. Davies' division, and it is now incontestible that but 
for the gallant stand and the brilliant charge made by this 
division at the White House, on that afternoon of the 3d of 
October, the town of Corinth, with its valuable stores and 
artillery, would have fallen into rebel hands. 

That was an anxious night. The events of the day had 
developed the fact that the enemy far outnumbered us. 
We had already lost heavily in the day's battle. The forti- 
fications of the place were merely nominal ; not a foot of 
intrenchments for infantry was there ; all the work in that 
direction had been expended in erecting works for the 
artillery, and even this was not complete. Battery Rich- 
ardson, which played a conspicuous part in the struggle of 
the next day, was built by the contrabands during the day 
and night of the 3d, the negroes digging for dear life while 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 29 

a portion of the battle of the 3d was being fought in their 
presence. 

At the Tishomingo Hotel, which had been converted 
into a hospital, there was sad evidence of the severity of 
the trial through which the 2d Division (Davies') had passed 
that da}^ Every room was filled with the wounded, and 
the porches were also crowded, mostly from Davies' division. 
In the little room at the end of the lower porch, designated 
the ladies' parlor, could be seen the three brigade com- 
manders of Gen. Davies' division — Col. Baldwin, slightly 
wounded ; Gen. Oglesby, suffering Intensely from his 
wound, which the surgeons hardly dared say was not mor- 
tal ; and Gen. P. A. Hackelman, who was dying. His 
wound was by a musket ball through the neck, evidently 
aimed directly at him, as he was prominent, being on 
horseback. 

There was but little rest that night for the Union troops. 
Stanley's division, which had only been represented by a 
brigade in a portion of the battle of the 3d, was now 
brought up and posted, covering Batteries "Williams and 
Robinett, between the Memphis & Charleston and Columbus 
Railroads. On his left was placed McKean, whose division 
had been well represented by McArthur's brigade during 
the day. Gen. Davies' division was placed next, facing 
northwardly, its left resting on Battery Powell and its 
right covering Battery Richardson. On his right, in 
echelon, was Hamilton's strong divison, which had as yet 
scarcely been engaged. Almost all the night was occupied 
by these movement^,, so that the wearied soldiers scarcely 
had an hour's sleep after their almost superhuman exer- 
tions of the day. Gen. Rosecrans himself did not retire 
until 3 A. M., and it was daylight before all the troops 
were in position. 

Scarcely had day dawned until the sound of artillery 
and the explosion of shell in the town of Corinth, told us 



30 HISTORY OF THE 

that the enemy had been watchful, too, and had made a 
bold advance. Our siege guns and light artillery replied 
so effectively that the support of the rebel battery was 
driven away, and our skirmish line advancing, it captured 
the two guns and the Captain in command. This battery, 
however, struck several buildings in Corinth before it was 
silenced, carrying dismay and consternation to the inhab- 
itants and the contrabands who occupied that locality. 
The wounded were hastily removed without injury, except 
one poor fellow who was struck by a shell and instantly 
killed while being carried down the stairway of the Tish- 
omingo Hotel. 

After this demonstration there was a significant lull. 
Many surmised that the rebels were drawing off, while 
others thought they were preparing for an assault. The 
latter supposition proved to be true. About 9 or 10 o'clock 
the storm broke in fury full upon Davies' devoted com- 
mand. Stretched in a single line, with no reserves and no 
intrenchments, the wearied troops j^ielded before the im- 
petuous onset of the rebels. Cheered by their apparently 
easy victory. Price's vagabonds rushed boldly on, hoping 
to make a lodgment in the town. But in this they were 
disappointed. Hamilton's artillery and infantry poured 
death into one flank; the ponderous siege guns and lighter 
pieces of batteries Williams and Robinett threw their 
deadly iron hail into the other flank, while Davies' division, 
rallying, turned upon their pursuers, and hurling destruc- 
tion upon their front, almost literally annihilated them. 
A few stragglers sought safety in flight, but the greater 
portion of the assaulting column was made prisoners, or 
lay dead or wounded on the field. A feeble attemjDt at a 
second charge was made, but abortively failed. This was 
the end of the battle on the right. Simultaneously with 
their attack here, another was intended to have been made 
on the left ; but owing to the almost impassable ground in 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 31 

front of our lines there, the rebels were delayed, and the 
first attempt had been made and had failed before the 
troops on tlie left were in readiness to attack. There, as 
on the right, the rebels rushed madly to death , but the 
ground being much less favorable, their success was not so 
great. They broke no portion of our line, although piles 
of their dead lay under the very guns of Battery Robinett. 
It was here that the recklessly gallant Col. Rogers, of the 
2d Texas, fell while attempting to scale the parapet. He 
was buried in a separate grive, just where he fell — a mag- 
nanimous tribute to the bravery of an enemy. 

Murderously foiled in all his attempts to capture Corinth, 
Price led away his remaining troops, retreating as he came 
by way of Pocahontas. It was near noon of the 4th when 
the fighting had ceased, and the fact of his retreat became 
known. Cheer after cheer went u]) from all parts ol the 
field as General Rosecrans rode over the field and an- 
nounced the result, and gave orders for a hurried pursuit. 

Our losses, though great, especially in the first day's 
fight, did not compare with those of the enemy, most of 
whose dead and wounded fell into our hands. General 
Rosecrans, in his official report, says the rebel loss was 
1,423 officers and men killed, 5,692 wounded, and 2,248 
prisoners, among whom were 137 field officers, captains 
and subalterns, representing fifty-three regiments of in- 
fantry, sixteen of cavalry, thirteen batteries of artillery, 
and seven battalions. We captured also 14 stands of 
colors, two pieces of artillery, 3,300 stands of small arms, 
4,500 rounds of ammunition and a large amount of accou- 
terments. Our loss was 315 killed, 1,812 wounded, and 
232 prisoners and missing. 

The following extract from the farewell address of Gen- 
eral Davies, on taking leave of his division, on the 25th 
of October following the battle, will, when compared with 



32 HISTORY OF THE 

the above figures, tell how his division responded to the 
demands made on it during this battle. 

^ :^^ ^ ^ i>^ t- ^ 

" The 3d was a trying day for us, and at 2 o'clock, 1,785 
officers and men of this Division had to meet the army of 
Van Dorn and Price at the White House. The thunder 
of our artillery and the rattle of our musketry bespoke a 
contest seldom equaled in stubbornness on both sides. 
Once we repulsed them with leaden hail, once with the 
bayonet, and once and last with pure obstinacy, and victory 
perched upon our banners. 

" Worn and exhausted, but never tired of doing duty, the 
Division was again attacked on the 4th, and again our 
victorious flag waved over the heaps of rebel slain, result- 
ing in casualties to us of 1,004, capturing 1,046 prisoners, 
and ten stands of the enemies' colors." 

:^ 'J^ -^^ ^ * ^ -^ 

The loss of the 81st Ohio in this battle was as follows : 

COMPANY B., CAPTAIN J. W. TITUS COMMANDING. 

Killed. — First Sergeant, John Johnson ; Cor2)oral 
Abraham Fulmer ; Privates William Rankins, Gr. H. Ad- 
gate, John Armour. 

Wounded. — First Lieut. James II. Corns ; Sergeant Gid- 
eon Ditto ; Corporals Hiram Eobbins, F. Downs, F. M. 
Hartshorn ; Privates John Linton, Christian Lehman, 
George Truesdale, W. D. Cunningham, M. Eichards, B. 
Franklin, Thomas Shaw Isaac Lehman, W. F. Maltbie, 
Isaac McGrady, Wm. Woley. 

COMPANY C, FIRST LIEUT. W. H. CHAMBERLIN COMMANDING. 

Killed. — None. 

Wounded. — Sergeants W. H. Scroggs, Charles Depoy, 
Wm. W. Merrill ; Privates Calvin P. McClelland, James 
W. Cowman, Albert Kinnamon. 

Wounded and missing. Private Amos Swartz, (never 
since heard from.) 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOL. 33 

COMPANY D., CAPTAIN P. A. TYLER COMMANDING. 

Killed. — Corporal Henry Hardly ; Privates Caleb Fo 
gle, John F. Eose. 

Wounded. — Sergeant W. D. Tyler , Privates Hugh L. 
Carlisle, John V. Bushong, Charles S. Keys, William Da- 
vis, M. W. Kimmel. 

COMPANY E., FIRST LIEUT. JOHN L. HUGHES COMMANDING. 

Killed. — None. 

Wounded. — Corporal Philip Hoot; Privates William 
Grant, James W. Bailey, James F. M'Ginnis, George 
Keith, Lewis Swearingen, Alvero Curtis. 

COMPANY F., CAPTAIN OZRO J. DODDS COMMANDING. 

Killed. — Corporal Abner McCall ; Privates Daniel H. 
Brown, L. P. Gifford. 

Wounded.— Sergeant David McCall, mortally ; Corporal 
Ira Hartwell ; Privates George Easter, John Ford, Marcus 
Newland, George Crowl, John Hayslip, W. H. McCandless, 

MISSI^G. — John P. Porter, S. Corwin. 
Total, 11 killed, 44 wounded, 3 missing. 

When the 81st Ohio advanced on Saturday morning, 
the 4th, to meet the foe. Sergeant David McCall, its color 
bearer, was the first to fall. He was mortally wounded 
by a musket ball in the abdomen. At Pittsburg Landing, 
although unable for duty, rising from a sick bed, he, un- 
scathed, bravely carried our flag through those two terri- 
ble days. As soon, however, as the excitement of that 
conflict was over, he was taken seriously sick, and was 
sent ISTorth, where he lay for a long time while his life was 
despaired of But he finally recovered, and returned to 
his regiment but a short time before this battle. He was 
a brave man, and fell while bearing his flag forward. 
Long will his memory live in the hearts of his comrades. 
2 



34 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTEE III. 



PURSUIT OF PRICE AND GARRISON DUTY. 

As General Eosecrans intimated, the whole army moved 
in pursuit on Sunday Morning — McPherson's Brigade, 
which had arrived the previous day, just after the battle, 
taking the advance. The 81st Ohio was so near the last 
of the column that it was delayed greatly, and at four P. 
M., it was hardly four miles from Corinth. At this point , 
an order was received detaching it, and sending it to hold 
a bridge on Bridge Creek, southwest of Corinth, where it 
was reported a force of rebel cavalry was about to cross. 
The march of nearly six miles was made in forced time, 
and many members of the regiment can remember its se- 
verity. The weather was dry and unusually warm, the 
roads were very dusty, and water was not to be obtained. 
Never, perhaps, did the boys so gladly greet a stream as 
they did Bridge Creek on reaching it that evening. No 
rebels, however, were found in that vicinity, and the com- 
mand rested undisturbed. That evening a little guerrilla 
force made an attack on the camp of our division below 
Corinth, which was then occupied only by convalescents 
and non-combatants. The scene was described as intensely 
ludicrous, as the flight of the frightened contrabands, and 
others, to Corinth was in progress. However, a few of 
the abler bodied soldiers formed, and with a little show of 
resistance, drove the invaders off, killing several of them. 
One who was killed w^as well known to many of our sol- 
diers, lived but a mile or two away, had often been in 
camp, and had his oath of allegiance to the Government 
of the United States in his pocket at the time he was shot. 

The 81st remained two or three days on Bridge Creek, 
and then was ordered into its old camp. To those who 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 35 

have been suddenly called away from a comfortable camp, 
such as ours was there, and who have spent a week in bat- 
tle and marching, not to mention partial fasting and loss 
of sleep, it may well be supposed that the prospect of re- 
turn and rest was cheering. But the soldier has no right 
to indulge in the illusions of hope. Scarcely had the men 
consigned themselves to the first hour's sleep in their tents, 
until orders came to march immediately. By ten o'clock 
the march was begun, and all that weary night the poor 
soldiers trudged along without rest. At daylight the reg- 
iment reached its destination, which was a position on the 
Tuscumbia River, near Chewalla. It was considered nec- 
essary to guard that point. Just after reaching our posi- 
tion that morning, and stationing guards, the wearied 
men threw themselves on the ground and fell into a deep 
slumber. Most of them were shortly afterward aroused 
by the appearance of about three hundred rebels under 
flag of truce. The following extract from a letter written 
at that time tells of this event : 

"I had just entered the dominions of the sleepy god, 
when a guard, out of breath, touched me on the shoulder 
and said that there were some men that looked like rebels 
trying to cross the river, but they had no guns. On re- 
pairing to the place I found a white flag flying, and dis- 
covered that the party, numbering over three hundred, 
constituted a foroe which Van Dorn had sent back, re- 
questing permission to bury their dead. They had reached 
Chewalla on Sunday, where they were detained by Gen- 
eral Rosecrans until Thursday, when they were sent be- 
yond our lines, with an apology for having detained them 
so long, and an assurance that their dead were already de- 
cently interred. 

" The rebel army having burned the bridge at this place, 
they were detained an hour or two in making a passable 
ford by which they could get their three wagons across. 
This interval was industriously improved by our soldiers 
in the exchange of news, sentiment, canteens and money. 
It was a novel sight to see the soldiers of opposite armies 



36 HISTORY OP THE 

mingling together peaceably — the men who, but a few 
days before, had met in deadly array on the field of bat- 
tle. But there was no hatred between them. Principles, 
and not men, are our enemies. I talked with a number 
of these rebels, mostly on the subject of the Corinth bat- 
tle. They accorded to us, universall3^, great bravery, 
while they were all confident that they would have suc- 
ceeded if Yan Dorn had not been their commander. There 
was no limit to their disgust against him. Colonel Berry, 
of the 35th Mississippi, was in command of the party. He 
is said to be a Missourian, from Pike or Hancock county. 
A chaplain, Rev. G. W. Rogers, from Liberty, Boone 
county, Mo.; bore their flag for them. 

•' The conduct of the men was faultless, but their ap- 
pearance was far from prepossessing. Our private soldiers 
are dressed far better than their colonels. I saw two of 
their men wearing shirts made of damask which had evi- 
dentty done duty, at sometime, as window curtains. Hats 
and caps of all shapes, sizes and colors, made them appear 
as widely different as possible. The only thing which 
they had in common was dirt. So far as this could do it, 
they were uniformed. When they had effected a crossing, 
and hadre-packed their three days' rations, which General 
Rosecrans had issued to them, in consideration of having 
delayed them, they took their way toward their Southern 
camp-fires, first bidding us a kind and friendly farewell 
' till we met again.' May it ever be our fortune to meet 
foes as brave and as honorable !" 

The regiment remained nearly a week in this sylvan 
solitude, with no kind of disturbance. The neighboring 
farms were laid under contribution by the soldiers, and 
yielded abundant supplies of sweet potatoes, pork, turkeys, 
&c. When the pursuit of the flying army was stopped, 
our regiment was ordered back to Corinth, and went into 
a new camp within half a mile of the town. Thus ended 
what was then one of the most complete victories of the' 
war. Van Dorn, having chosen his own time, place, man- 
ner of attack, and number of troops, not only failed in 
his assault, but was so sorely pressed on his retreat that 
he barely escaped with a pitiful remnant of his army. 



EIGHTY FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 37 

Thus was the character of Western troops again shown to 
be worthy of honor, and their invincibility was established. 
The remainder of this month of October, and the fol- 
lowing November, was spent by the Slst in garrison. 
While Grant's main army was moving down through cen- 
tral Mississippi, this post was held by the troops under 
General G. M. Dodge, who succeeded General Davies. 
The duty was the ordinary garrison duty. Guerrillas and 
small parties of the enemy's cavalry hovered about us, 
making it a matter of interest and of a little danger to 
venture out of our lines. The railroads being unable to 
furnish a sufficient amount of forage for the animals of the 
army at Corinth, the troops were kept continually on for- 
age expeditions, until there was not any corn of any con- 
sequence within a space of twenty-five miles in diameter 
about Corinth. 

Contrabands kept coming in in numerous bands. I re- 
member seeing one day a squad of twenty, who had come 
from about Guntown — about forty miles distant. I asked 
them if they knew that Massa Lincoln was going to make 
them all free next New Year's. They had not heard the 
news of the Emancipation proclamation, but they did 
know that freedom could be obtained at Corinth. Says 
one of them : " Massa tole us dat you all Yankees at Cor- 
inth would make we 'uns work on de big forts tell we 
died, an' den give us some beef on a cracker, an' throw in 
a hole alive an' bury us !" 

" Wh}?- did you come here, then ?" 

'' Oh, we knowed massa lied /" 

On the evening of October 19th, the five new companies 
arrived, which had been organized in Ohio, as the result 
of the labors of the recruiting party consisting of Lieu- 
tenants Adams and Henry^ and .Sergeants Darling, John- 
son and Pittman, sent North in July. It will be remem- 
bered that the old troops of the regiment had been organ- 



38 • HISTORY OF THE 

ized previously into five companies. These recruits filled 
up the vacancy, and made the 81st at last a full regiment. 
These five companies were lettered A, G, H, I and K. 
Company A was organized in Allen county, Ohio, by Gap- 
tain Hill, Lieut. Van Pelt and Lieut. Shaffer ; Company 
G also in Allen and Putnam counties, by Captain Over- 
myer, Lieut. Sprague and Lieutenant Ferguson ; Com- 
pany H was organized in Adams and Scioto counties, by 
Lieut. Henry, Lieut. Guthrie and Lieut. Roney, and Lieut. 
Henry Avas made Captain ; Company I was organized in 
Greenfield, Ohio, from Koss, Highland and Fayette coun- 
ties, by Captain Gibson, Lieut. Robinson and Lieut. Craw- 
ford, and Company K at Gallon, Crawford county, Ohio, 
by Captain Matthias, Lieut. Lane and Lieut. Hoover. The 
success of this recruiting party was beyond the most san- 
guine expectations. The 81st was now one of the largest 
regiments in the service, and the excellent quality of the 
men and officers composing this new accession 2:)romised 
well for the future. 

The reception of these recruits was made a formal mat- 
ter. They slept all night at the depot, having arrived 
late. In the morning the old troops were formed and 
started toward Corinth with drums beating and colors 
flying. When they had proceeded far enough they were 
halted, formed in line in open order and faced inward. 
The new recruits now approached, marching by the right 
flank, and led by Colonel Morton. As soon as the head of 
the column entered between the lines of the old troops they 
saluted their new brethren by a "present arms." When 
the new companies had passed entirely through, they were 
formed as the old troops had been, and the latter passed 
through their lines, in turn receiving a salute. When 
this was done, the Avhole regiment formed on the color 
line, and stacked arms. Then there was a looking for 
friends, for nearly every member of the old companies had 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 39 

some friend or relative in the new arrival. The same day 
some eighty recruits, in addition to the five full compa- 
nies, were equally divided between the five old companies. 
The regiment was now fully organized, and the companies 
assigned their places in line as follows, which position was 
ever after adhered to. Beginning at the right, was Com- 
pany B, next Company A, Company F, Company H, Com- 
pany E, Company G, Company D, Company K, Company 
I, and on the left Company C. Thus not only old and new 
troops were judiciously intermingled, but also companies 
from the same localities were, as far as possible, placed in 
proximity. The next few weeks -were spent in most assid- 
uous company and battalion drill, the latter under direc- 
tion of Lieutenant-Colonel Adams. The recruits learned 
rapidly, and very soon it would have puzzled a stranger 
to distinguish them by their movements from the older 
soldiers. 

On the Ist of ]!^ovember, the regiment was ordered to 
remove to a position within the inner defenses of Corinth, 
It w^as placed on a part of the old battle-field, and pre- 
pared for a winter's stay. Winter quarters were con- 
structed by raising the tents a few feet from the ground, 
making a closed wall under them of timber, and building 
a chimnej^, with old-fashioned fire-place to warm them. 

An engineer force, consisting mostly of contrabands, 
was set to work soon after the battle of Corinth, and the 
result was that Corinth soon became literally a walled 
city. The excellent earth-works did not, of course, form 
an unbroken circle, but the town was enclosed by them, 
while on every promineiit point of ground a well-con- 
structed fort commanded the approaches. The eharacter- 
i.stics of the w^orks were neatness and strength. They 
were made under the superintendence of Captains Prime 
and Cossak, U. S. Topographical Engineers. 

The want of water was so seriously felt, that the au- 
thorities determined to obtain it by making wells. This 



40 HISTOKY OF THE 

required a peculiar process. Three negroes, a mule, a few 
pullies with their ropes and tackle, and the simple auger 
could sink a well in a short time. The soil was so free 
from sand and gravel that it could be bored as easily as so 
much wood. An auger of three inches in diameter was 
first used, and afterward one of eight or nine inches, which 
is the final diameter of the well, exclusive of tubing. The 
mule, harnessed to a huge clevis-like j)iece of timber, 
which enclosed its body, and was fastened over its head 
at the end of a horizontal lever, raised the auger by walk- 
ing around in a little circle, and thus winding the rope to 
which the auger was suspended, around an upright cylin- 
der. When it was necessary to unwind, the driver gave 
the command " halt !" and the mule would stop ; " turn !" 
and the mule would turn in his tracks, the clevis being 
made so as to turn where it connected with the lever. 
The auger was sunk into the earth by the men, the mule 
only serving to draw it up. When the boring was com- 
pleted, often at a depth of one hundred feet, a tubing of 
plank was put down to keep the wall from crumbling in. 
The water was drawn by long cylindrical buckets, open at 
the top and having a valve at the bottom opening upward. 
As it sank into the water the valve opened and it was 
filled ; of course when it was drawn up the valve would 
shut down and keep it full. Almost every regiment had 
one of these wells bored for its accommodation — all done 
by the same mule and negroes who had enjoyed the mo- 
noj^oly of well-boring about Corinth for a number of years. 

To show how the dull days and long nights of winter 
were made subservient to the enjoyment of our troops 
while in garrison, in that unprepossessing little town of 
Corinth, I introduce here an account of some of the amuse- 
ments, written at the time. 

It is with a feeling akin to local pride that I announce 
that the festive season for the city of Corinth has actually 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 41 

opened. To say nothing of numerous private balls, held 
and attended by the indefatigable dancing descendents of 
Ham the enterprise of some of the leading inhabitants 
has culminated in a full-blown theater— manned and 
equipped (pardon the nauti-military expression, stocked is, 
I believe, the professional term,) wholly by Aome talent. 
Last night the military, and other denizens of Corinth, 
were treated to the opening performance of the Hospital 
Troupe The actors were all high privates, mostly from 
those detailed on duty at the post hospital. The proceeds 
of the entertainment go for the benefit of the sick. The 
theater, used recently as a vegetable market, is a long, low 
frame house, filled with plain, hard benches, well adapted . 
to a " change of front," for they have no backs to inter- 
fere. A real stage is constructed, with foot-lights and cur- 
tain, and the flanks display an excellent imitation of pri- 
vate boxes. The orchestra, which, by the way, was the 
redeeming portion of the entertainment, was made up of 
amateurs from the various regiments, Ohio furnishing the 
lion's share. The accomplished leader is a civilian from 
Ohio, who also excels in the kindredart of photography— 
the which he pursues in the army for his own advantage, 
and his customers' accommodation. Order was enforced m 
last night's entertainment by the presence of a corporal's 
. guard with guns and fixed bayonets. It was a novel en- 
tertainment—so completely military. Even the songs, and 
the "heavy" piece of the evening— " The Eough Dia- 
mond "—introduced the soldier and the war in every con- 
ceivable manner. The negro came in, of course, on such 
an occasion. Portions of the performance were encored, 
and the audience dispersed with a rather favorable feeling 
toward the efforts of the amateur performers. 

Not only do theatrical tendencies give warning of the 
approach of the gay season, but matrimonial inclinations 
also confirm the fact. The charms of a Mississippi belle— 



42 HISTORY OF THE 

a sweet secesher — so entrapped a son of Erin, an artillerist, 
that lie to-day became the happy husband of his lady 
love. A soldier-parson tied the knot, and Avas immedi- 
ately engaged to perform the same kind of service for an- 
other military couple this week. 

The gayety shadowed forth by the foregoing, is by no 
means restricted to the white population. The contra- 
bands, of w^hom there is a large number, are encamped 
together ; of course this throws them into " society " a 
great deal, and the inevitable result is the growth of the 
tender passion in the hearts of the young men and maidens 
there assembled. The chaplain who presides over this 
dusky encampment, had a call to-day to join the hands of 
two w^hose hearts were already one. Finding, how^ever, 
that there are many under his care, who have been living 
as man and wife according to the slave custom, but who 
have never been formally or legally married, he determined 
to make next Sabbath a grand conjugal day, atwdiichtime 
he proposes to unite in the holy bands of wedlock all those 
who have heretofore been informally married. It will be 
the wedding day of their recollection. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INEANTRY VOLS. 43 



CHAPTER lY. 

WINTER AT CORINTH. 

About the middle of December, 1862, Colonel Mersey's 
Brigade, consisting then of the 81st Ohio, and 12th Illi- 
nois Infantry, and Battery I, 1st Mo. light artillery, re- 
ceived marching orders, and moved southward. At this 
time Gen. Grant was far down in central Mississippi ; so 
far that, with no Union force on the Mobile and Ohio R. 
R farther south than Corinth, the rebels had- an admira- 
ble means in that railroad of throwing troops in his rear, 
and of effectually cutting his communications. To ascer- 
tain if such movement was in progress, and to arrest it if 
BO, General Dodge sent Colonel Mersey's brigade upon this 
somewhat extended reconnoisance. The troops started 
with five days rations, but as the country was full of pro- 
visions for man and beast, there was no telling from this 
fact how long the expedition would be gone. No tents 
were taken, and the troops, especially the recruits of the 
81st Ohio had their first experience in marching and 
bivouacking. The weather was mostly propitious, and the 
roads in excellent order. Passing through Rienzi, the 
Brigade deflected a little to the right, and passed through 
Blackland. At this place, which was reached the second 
or third day, a few shots were exchanged with a small 
party of bushwhackers, or straggling soldiers, and a num- 
ber of them were captured. With this exception. Colonel 
Mersey met with no opposition. He passed through Gun- 
town and reached Saltillo in a drenching rain. Encamp- 
ing here, a portion of the command went on to Tupelo, 
anil captured several officers who were too drunk to leave 
when the place was evacuated by the few troops who had 



44 HISTORY OF THE 

garrisoned it. Finding no enemy, and no appearance of 
any, and having communicated with a force of cavalry 
sent from General Grant's main army, Colonel Mersey 
turned the head of his column homeward, this time taking 
a road several miles eastward of that on which he had 
come. Not a shot was exchanged on the return, and the 
expedition would have been considered fruitless if it had 
not brought in such large quantities of cotton, mules, 
horses and contrabands.. When at Jacinto, on the return, 
orders were received from Corinth to hurry to that place. 
Early the next day the troops were in motion, and so eager 
were they that by twelve o'clock the brigade marched 
into Corinth in triumph, their bands playing as blithely, 
and the men as steady in their step as if returning from 
the drill-ground. Thus ended what was afterward desig- 
nated by the regiment as their seven days' march. 

Corinth was not found to be quite so desirable a place, 
on the return of the regiment, as many, while wearied by 
their marching, had supposed it to be. General Dodge, 
with almost all the garrison, had gone northward to repel 
Forrest in his attack on the railroad over which we re- 
ceived our supplies. The great Holly Springs disaster had 
occurred on the 20th of December, and General Grant was 
obliged to give up his land approach to Yicksburg and re- 
turn to Memphis. Forrest, with a very strong mounted 
force had crossed the Tennessee River, in the vicinity of 
Clifton, and had made serious attacks on the line of railroad 
which supplied Corinth. In this condition of aifairs, the 
little garrison at Corinth was suddenly made an outpost, 
far removed from the main army. Its means of commu- 
nication being broken, the entire garrison was, on the 22d 
of December, placed on half rations. This continued for 
about three weeks, though it occasioned less suffering than 
many would suppose. Foraging parties were sent out as 
far as it was safe to venture, and obtained food for the an- 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 45 

imals as well as limited supplies for the men. One very 
annoying feature of the position was that the most extrav- 
agant rumors of events reached us. A letter written there 
January 4th, 1863, gives the following account of the bliss 
of ignorance enjoyed by the troops at that time : 

" TJp to the present writing, the latest news we have re- 
ceived through the newspapers is to the date of December 
17th Bu?d^o not think that we have been miserable on 
account of the failure of the accustomed late papers to 
reach us We have had no scarcity of news^ Scarcely 
had communication been destroyed until we had «^<aMa 
intelligence of a bloody fight in tbe .streets of Jackson 
Tennessee, in which our troops were victorious, with a loss 
of thre hundred killed-very few wounded, because cot- 
ton bales were used for entrenchments and nearly all who 
were shot were struck in the head. We also had un- 
Zbt^d information of the capture of Eicbmond. Gen- 
eral Banks had sailed up James River, landed, and made 
a V -orous attack in the%ear. This great fact continued 
to be true tor several days, when our attention was drawn 
to Lee and Burnside. Lee had followed Burnside across 
the Rappahannock, defeated him, and afterward encoun- 
tered 1i gel, who, aided by Burnside's shattered forces 
completely destroyed Lee's whole army. -Chen came a 
fresh account of the capture of Richmond. This time it 
was done bv Sigel, who had burned the whole city, and 
planted the'stail aU stripes over the ruins. I" tbe mean- 
time we had positive information of the capture of Vicks- 
bm- and Mobile. In fact, it required but a moderate 
stock of credulity to supply any one with more news than 
he most enterpiiing iAifor of a daily Papc^ co-W for. 
nish A few incredulous souls, not being able to appie- 
ciate the situation, conceived the foolish idea that we were 
airsomewTat in the condition of St. Patrick's snake ; and 

theyTried out the simile by asking, day after day when 
the mail would come thiwgh, and receiving daily the snake 

satisfactory assurance-' to-morrow.' But '.''* had not been 
for the fact that our supplies were alarmingly shoit the 
most of us would, I suppose, have W<^i^^p'\ ^° ^^J^VoW 
mained isolated from the outer world aiid all its aamfold 
"umors, knowing that here all the reliabU news reached us, 
even in advance of the occurrences themselves. 



46 HISTORY OF THE 

Notwithstanding this isolated condition and its starva- 
tion prospects, the garrison was far from despondent. On 
Christmas the drill ground south of Corinth was the scene 
of several races between some of the fine horses owned by 
officers. On New Years' night a grand military ball was 
given at the Tishomingo Hotel. The hall was beautifully 
and tastefully decorated with evergreens and with the 
battle-stained flags of all the regiments that belonged to 
the garrison. Corinth, Jackson, Burnsville and Danville 
were laid under contribution to furnish ladies. A good 
band was in attendance, and dancing was kept up till the 
" wee sma' hours." 

On the 31st of December, Forrest's great raid culminated 
in the battle of Parker's Cross Roads, in which he was de- 
feated and driven toward the river. Late in the afternoon 
of the 1st of January, General Dodge Avas notified of this, 
and urged to try to intercept him at Clifton. Orders were 
immediately issued to the 1st and 2d Brigades, and two 
batteries of artillery to move. On the 2d the troops started, 
and at night encamped near Savannah. At midnight a 
severe rain began, compelling the troops to be all unwil- 
ling sentinels. In the morning General Dodge received 
word that Forrest had crossed. The troops returned to 
Corinth. 

About the 15th of January a small steamer came up the 
river to Hamburg with suj^plies, and the hungry troops 
rejoiced over full rations. 

About the 23d of January, 1863, another large steamer 
arrived at Hamburg with supplies for the garrison at 
Corinth. It was the steamer J. Raymond, and was con- 
voyed by the little gunboats General Pillow and Alfred 
Robb. An immense wagon train, escorted by four regi- 
ments of infantry and a battery of artillery, was dispatched 
to bring its cargo, but this not being sufficient, another 
train of two hundred Avagons, escorted by the 27th and 



EIGHT Y-FIBST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 4:7 

81st Ohio, the 7th and 52d IlUnois infantry, and a section 
of Battery I, 1st Missouri Light Artillery, all under com- 
mand of Lieut. Col. Adams, 81st Ohio, was sent from 
Corinth on the morning of the 26th of January. This 
march and its incidents made it one of the severest hard- 
ships which the regiment had yet endured. At three or 
four o'clock in the afternoon a pitiless storm of ram began 
to fall. The ground was already muddy, and this rain 
only served to make the mud thinner and deeper. With 
two regiments of troops and two hundred wagons to pre- 
cede the 81st, the condition of that clayey road can be 
imao-ined but not described. Mercilessly came the ram 
untit dark, and then the 81st was still two miles from 
Hamburg. Here the road runs through a wide swamp, 
which, during the previous summer, had been spanned by 
a corduroy road for the use of the army. It was now 
covered with mud of various depths, and the men, 
drenched with the rain, and unable to distinguish the 
treacherous pitfalls from the solid ground, plunged 
straight through like so many hogs. Every few feet 
some luckless fellow would go sprawling hopelessly down 
into the mud covering himself all over with the Tennessee 
soil. All the while it continued raining, and there were 
cheerless forebodings of a comfortless night, when the 
soldiers contemplated their wet and muddy clothing, the 
unbounded mud and the extreme scarcity of rails in the 
vicinity of Hamburg. Usually the soldier cares little for 
wet clothing during the day if he has a prospect of being 
able to enjoy a bright fire at night. That night, on 
arriving at Hamburg, instead of bivouacking on shore, 
where by blazing fires the discomforts of the day's march 
would soon have been forgotton, the 8l8t was ordered 
aboard a barge. Any one who has traveled with troops 
on our steamers can imagine how much of comfort there 
was in that condition. Think of a tired soldier having 



48 HISTORY OF THE 

walked twenty miles through mud and rain, until his 
clothing is entirely saturated with water, and then, with 
his chilling garments clinging closely to his shivering, 
hungering body, he is deposited like so much freight, in 
the damp hold of a filthy barge, where not so much as 
the smell of fire could reach him, and where there was no 
possible opportunity to obtain a cup of the soldier's sine 
qua non — hot cofi'ee. This was the hard lot of the 81st 
Ohio that night. A few bales of hay were issued to the 
soldiers which they scattered over the damp floor for 
beds. On it, wet, muddy and cold, they threw themselves 
down supperless to sleep. Here and there some luckless 
one who could not find where to lay his head, could be 
heard all through the night shivering with cold. 

When morning dawned, it was discovered by the regi- 
ment that this merciless exposure had not been without 
an object. It was found that other troops had also em- 
barked on the Eaymond, and that a departure before 
morning had been contemplated. It was for a no less 
pretentious object than the surprise and capture of the 
forces under Roddj^, who was encamped near Florence, 
Alabama, with about 4,000 rebel cavalry. The two little 
gunboats were to accompany for the purpose of silencing 
batteries on shore, shelling the woods and covering the 
landing of troops. Then "by a combined attack by the 
land and naval forces " the cavalry were to be taken by 
storm and the expedition to return in triumph. It was 
doubtless a brilliant plan, and it was not the fault of the 
commander, Col. Rice, that it failed. Daylight found the 
J. E,a3^mond, which in the "piping times of peace" towed 
Dan Rice's great show from city to city, now towing an- 
other Rice's menagerie up the Tennessee. The gunboats 
advanced bravely. All went gloriously until at a distance 
of three miles from Hamburg, the J. Raymond sounded a 
halt, and put ashore to tie 'up. It was soon discovered 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 49 

that one of her wheels had been run on the bottom when 
starting, until its axle was lifted out of its place, bursting 
off the cap, which, with the brass boxing had fallen into 
the river. It was surmised by some that the accident was 
not purely accidental, as the officers of the boat were 
averse to risking their lives and property in a fight. A 
council of war was held, composed of representatives from 
the army and the navy, which soon decided to return to 
Hamburg, and give up the expedition. The return was 
made on one wheel by the J. Eaymond, and the troops 
disembarked. After waiting an hour to cook the first 
meal since leaving Corinth, the 81st took up their home- 
ward march, and notwithstanding the state of the roads, 
they reached their camp, twenty miles in seven hours. 

The month of March, 1863 was spent in garrison with- 
out particular incident. The spring brought with it the 
old desire for renovation — and soldiers, obedient to the 
law which has governed their mothers from time imme- 
morial, proceeded to clear away the debris which had ac- 
cumulated during the winter, and to make a thorougli 
remodeling of their camps. The 81st Ohio rescued its 
camp from the disorder in which it stood all winter, and 
gave it the charm of regularity. When all was set in 
order a train of wagons was sent to the pine regions, only 
a few miles distant, to obtain young pines with which to 
decorate the camp. It required but a day to obtain the 
trees and plant them; and what an effect! The bare 
white tents were relieved by the grateful green of the 
pines, and the soldiers were in ecstacies on beholding the 
\ wonderful change. It was found that it paid even for 
soldiers to give some attention to the amenities of life. 

On the 7th of April, the 81st celebrated the anniversary 

of the battle of Shiloh. On very short notice, a very good 

substantial supper for every man in the regiment was 

spread in camp; and just when the regiment returned, 

4 



50 HISTORY OF THE 

wearied and hungry, from the afternoon review, the men 
were called to the tables and bountifully supplied with 
the good things thereon. It was intended to have had 
a dance in the open air at night, but it was found impos- 
sible to obtain material for bonfires, and the dance had to 
be abandoned. As it was, however, the supper put the 
regiment in the best possible humor, and all retired glad 
that they were at Shiloh a year ago, and that they were 
here now. 



I 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 61 

CHAPTER V. 

EXPEDITION TO TUSCUMBIA. 

On the 15th of April, 1863, Gen. Dodge moved from 
Corinth with almost his entire force. The previous day 
an attack had been made upon the outpost of Glendale, 
and this seemed to the rebels as the occasion of General 
Dodge's movement, though in reality quite a diiferent ob- 
ject was in view. The cavalry chased the rebels away 
from Glendale, and the infantry moved on leisurely after- 
ward, encamping the first night at Burnsville. The next 
day the march was continued a few miles beyond luka to 
a point a mile or two from Bear Creek, which was said to 
be defended by the rebel cavalry under Roddy. On the 
17th Gen. Dodge moved with the intention of crossing the 
stream. It was almost too deep to ford and there was no 
bridge; the opposite bank was favorable for defense, 
placing a section of artillery in position, and shelling the 
ford a little while, General Dodge compelled the rebels, 
who had no artillery, to flee, and our cavalry, finding a 
shallow place, crossed and pursued. The infantry was 
immediately ordered to cross also. How was it to be 
done? The water was not only deep but swift. To 
attempt to wade would be but to be carried away by the 
current. To provide against this, a rope was stretched 
from shore to shore just above the water, which served to 
steady the steps of the soldiers. It was rare sport for 
most of them. The day was mild, and the water felt 
cool and refreshing. Doffing their clothes and swinging 
them with knapsack, haversack and cartridge box across 
their guns, which they carried on their shoulders, in order 
to keep their powder dry, the soldiers, with songs and 
cheers and exclamations of delight, marched single file 



*^2 HISTORY OF THE 

across the angry stream. It was to all a novel way of 
crossing a stream. The whole division went into bivouac 
on crossing, but the cavalry, which, under the impetuous 
Col. Cornyn, had pressed on farther than was expected, 
met with a considerable force of the enemy and sent back 
for help. Col. Bane's brigade was instantly ordered for- 
ward, and came very near entrapping the rebel force. 

But as the object of the expedition was to co-operate 
with Col. Straight's command, which was coming from 
JS'ashville, Gen. Dodge collected his troops again at Bear 
Creek and waited for the arrival of Col. Straight. This 
command having reached Eastport on the river, disem- 
barked and marched to Bear Creek. The plan was for 
Gen. Dodge to move with his force to Tuscumbia, Col. 
Straight accompanying. There, while Gen. Dodge manoeu- 
vered to distract the attention of the rebels. Col. Straight 
was to move rapidly to the south and east, and do the 
work of destruction assigned him in Georgia. As this 
movement was one of some historical interest, and as it 
was at that time the most extended march and campaign 
the regiment had made. I propose to extract freely from 
accounts written at the time. 

" On the morning of the 23d of April, at an early hour, 
the whole column was put in motion on the road toward 
Tuscumbia. The rain had put the roads in the finest 
condition, and the rested troops marched gaily along in 
the happiest humor, glad to see so much beauty as the 
green hills on either side of the road afforded. Beginning 
a few miles east of Bear Creek, there is a large upland 
valley, remarkable for its direction, being at right angles 
with the streams. Along this valley runs the Memphis and 
Charleston railroad and the wagon road to Tuscumbia. 

On either side of the road, at various distances, are the 
finest of green -topped hills, with just enough irregularity 
to relieve them of monotony. They bear a striking re- 
semblance to the graceful hills along the Miami and Scioto 
rivers in Ohio, except that just now they arc mottled with 



EIGIITY-FIKST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 53 

the dark green of the pines which are scattered among 
t e oaks aSd other trees of lighter colored foliage 

\bout 3 P. M. the column had crossed Cane Creek and 
.one i to camp, the left resting almost on the Tennessee 
fiver Tl'; cavalry was carefully seci^ted along the base 
of the hills on the right, while the infantry was boldly 
Iced m the open fields. Scarcely had the men time to 
Wepare supper until orders came to fall in and advance 
Ke right of the railroad Gen. Sweeney advanced with 
a re" ment or two and some artillery, while on the left, 
^CoMiorton advanced his brigade, with artillery accom- 

^""Thl^lighty-first Ohio, with Company C and a platoon of 
Company I, as skirmishers, was in advance and made a 
splSd appearance as its long lines extended across the 
open fields Very soon the rebel position was discovered, 
and with the impression that they were supphed with 
artiulry Gen. Sweeney sent in a few shells but without 
e ici in- any reply./ Then Col. Morton sent from his guns 
a few o"f the same kind of messengers with same result. 
It wis obvious that the rebels were only ho ding the place 
tith a small force, yet it was desirable to drive them away, 
Tes" dur Bg the night they should strengthen the position 
The whofe line advanced, 'it looked hazardous. Our forces 
were in open ground, descending to a small stream, while 
on the opposite side ^as " Kock Cut," a narrow gap where 
the railroad passes between two sentinel hills and where a 
small force could easily have wrought great damage to us. 
But still the lines advanced, the little stream was crossed 
the opposite heights gained and the gap secured, the rebels 
incontinently fleeinl before us. A portion of General 
Sweeney's tfoops pulhed on to Little Bear Creek, on the 
opposite bank of which the rebels were strongly posted 
Th'e Eighty-first Ohio bivouacked at the eastern end of 
'.Rock Cut" for the night. Before dayl.gbt of the 24th 
the troops of Gen. Sweeney, including t'^e 81 Ohw, tem- 
porarily acting under his orders, were silentiy placed in 
Lw po^sitions^it having been supposed that the rebels 
were about to'attack us at daylight. But .- t^^^^J^J^'^ 
disappointed. A little while before sunrise Company C 
ome Sty-first Ohio and Company B f the Second 
Iowa, were deployed as skirmishers, and ordered forward 



54 HISTORY OF THE 

until within sight of Little Bear Creek. Without oppo- 
sition the long line penetrated the thick woods in its 
front and moved on unsupported, a mile at least, when, 
coming to the edge of a narrow field, it halted in full sight 
of the disputed stream. The rebels on the opposite shore 
immediately took to horse and galloped off. A few men 
from the skirmish line went down to the creek and re- 
j^orted no enemy there, but as the crest of the hill above 
was sufficient for the masking of any amount of hostile 
forces, it was deemed prudent to push the reconnoisance 
farther. This was done, and the rebels were found flying. 
Gen. Dodge, with a small cavalry force, immediately 
passed over the crest of the hill and in a few minutes 
made the entry into Tuscumbia. Immediately the whole 
column was in motion, and so prompt was the movement 
that the rear of our column had reached the heights over- 
looking the town before the rebels were entirely gone. 
Capts. Spencer and Carpenter of Gen. Dodge's staff pressed 
too closely on the rebel rearguard and were sharply fired on. 

Tuscumbia is one of the oldest towns in the State, and 
is remarkable for its beauty of situation and its wonderful 
springs. Okocopasaw, as the native Indian spoke it when 
he meant cold water, is the name of the largest spring, 
which gushes out from beneath an overhanging rock, at a 
rate of four miles an hour, and with a volume sufficient 
to form a stream three feet deep and from fifteen to thirty 
feet wide. A rude stone wall has been built on either side 
of the basin, just below where the Avater comes out, and a 
stone stairway leads down to the surface of the water. 
"Aunt Susey's Spring" is another smaller one, farther to 
the west. Several other smaller and nameless ones are 
found along the base of the little bank on which Tuscum- 
bia is situated. The stream formed by these springs is 
sufficient to supply motive j)ower for several mills. 

The town itself, in its buildings, is ordinary ; but the 
shrubbery and flowers, of which there is the richest pro- 
fusion, render it a paradise even in its desolation. War 
has paralysed its business ; but nature, in defiance of 
armies, has made Tuscumbia charming. Our soldiers, 
who have for a year seen only the dull desolation of Cor- 
inth, are delighted with the view of civilization and re 
finement which is given them here.*' 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 55 

Col. Cornyn with the cavalry pushed on after the flying 
rebels, and overtaking them near Leighton, ten miles east 
of Tuscumbia, had a sharp fight, driving them in three 
hours a distance of as many miles. 

Gen. Dodge remained at Tuscumbia on the 25th and 
26th, using every eifort to complete the equipment of 
Ool. 'straight's command for the important expedition it 
was about to undertake. He even gave up one-third of 
the animals belonging to his own command, (except 
cavalry,) and yet there was not enough. Col. Straight 
was obliged to spend the first day or two of his march in 
pressing animals to mount the remainder of his men. It 
is perhaps owing to this that his expedition Avas not more 
successful. However, at midnight of the 26th he started, 
Gen. Dodge having thoroughly occupied the rebel cavalry 
so as to divert attention from Col. Straight's movements. 
In order still to keep the enemy deceived, Gen. Dodge 
moved early on the morning of the 27th with his whole 
force eastwardly. 

Leaving Tuscumbia, the country becomes more like an 
elevated plateau, flanked on each side with a low and 
tolerably regular range of hills. Large plantations, ele- 
gantly adorned by the true Southern mansions, and dotted 
with the neat little villages of negro quarters, now all 
vacant, are to be seen all along the road. For a distance 
of several miles no stream is in view, but numerous ponds 
and sink holes are everywhere to be found. 

Gen. Sweeney, with his brigade in the advance, found 
no interruption until after he had passed the little village 
of Leighton several miles, and reached the stream known 
as Town Creek. Here, on the eastern side he found a 
force of cavalry and artillery. Arriving nearly at night, 
he only threw a few shells across, and then the troops 
went into camp for the night. 

On the 28th of April occurred what, by a little license 



56 HISTORY OF THE 

may be termed the battle of Town Creek. Quite early 
in the morning we were aroused by a sharp fire of mus- 
ketry between our pickets and those of the enemy, posted 
on opposite sides of the stream. ]N"ot long after daylight 
our troops were under arms, and having two or three 
batteries in position we commenced a deliberate cannon- 
ading of the enemy's position. Eoddy had but a few 
guns, and they being of an inferior range, he soon dis- 
co tiered that they were no match for CajDts. Welker and 
Richardson, and ceased firing. Capt. Tannrath, with his 
battery devoted his attention to clearing the woods of 
sharp shooters on the left of the railroad, where they had 
been of considerable annoyance. His accurately thrown 
shells soon drove them to the high ground beyond range. 

About ten o'clock the enemy suddenly opened with 
artillery on one of our batteries near a brick house, with 
such excellent range that the first shot struck in the 
building. Anxious for an opportunity to give them a 
taste of our shell, an immediate response by two or three 
of our batteries was made, though the rebel position was 
so well chosen that it was almost impossible to dislodge 
them. The rebels continued to throw shell and solid shot, 
the latter flying far to the rear of our batteries, while the 
former burst long before they reached our guns. Com- 
jDany B, of the 81st Ohio, being deployed as skirmishers 
along the bank to guard against attempts at crossing, was 
somewhat annoyed by these premature explosions. The 
only casualty, however, was a pretty severe flesh wound 
received by Private Arthur Hall, who was struck below 
tho left shoulder by a piece of shell. In about an hour 
the rebel guns ceased and ours fired but very slowly. 

Preparations were now made for crossing the stream. 
It was a deep, narrow stream, with precipitous banks, 
and swollen by the rain of the previous night, it was en- 
tirely too deep and swift to be forded by cither cavalry or 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 57 

artillery, and the only bridge was the one at the railroad. 
Placing Captain Tannrath's battery in a position to com- 
mand the bridge, G-eneral Dodge, who had been on the 
ground all the morning, ordered Colonel Morton to send 
a regiment from his brigade across the bridge to cover the 
crossing of such forces as should be ordered to follow. 
The Colonel chose to send the 81st Ohio, and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Adams commanding, ordered Company F to cross 
the bridge and deploy to the right of the railroad. The 
bridge being partially hidden by trees, this movement was 
promptly executed without opposition, and a few minutes 
afterward the whole regiment, accompanied by General 
Dodge on foot, crossed the bridge, and deploying Company 
C as skirmishers on the left of the railroad, formed close 
to the creek. 'No sooner had the regiment crossed than 
the Pioneer corps began tearing down some buildings on 
the west side of the stream, and using the lumber in floor- 
ing the bridge to facilitate the crossing. When this was 
done, Lieutenant-Colonel Phillips, with four companies of 
the 9th Illinois, crossed, and deploying as skirmishers 
formed on the extreme left. Then, taking command of the 
whole line of skirmishers, he began an advance. Several 
rebels had been seen already up the railroad, and a squad had 
been fired at while reconnoitering our line on the left of 
the railroad. So soon as Colonel Phillips emerged from the 
woods which skirted the bank of the creek, he saw before 
him a vast open plantation rising gently some five or six 
hundred yards to what seemed a ridge. 

On the ridge was a dwelling house, a cotton house and 
a little village of negro huts, near which the rebel artil- 
lery had been posted in the morning. Seeing no hiding 
place for the rebels except toward the left where ther^ 
was a woods, Col. Phillips determined to halt the skir- 
mishers on the right of the railroad, and swing around 
the right of the remaining line toward the supposed 
5 



58 HISTORY OF THE 

hiding place. In doing so, the right soon reached the 
top of the ridge and found numerous squads of rebels on 
horseback, hovering around, just behind the crest of the 
ridge, or rather the summit of the elevated plateau, some 
of them almost directly in rear of the right of our line. 
As soon as this was discovered, Col. Phillips halted the 
line, and sent four men from Company C, Slst Ohio, from 
the right of the line to a little eminence on the right to 
wake up whoever' might be behind it. They advanced 
steadily to the fence, and looking over they perceived 
several horsemen within range. They fired, and one of 
the horsemen was dismounted. The others moved off, 
and our four men started boldly in pursuit. But like the 
bonnets and plaids of the warriors of Rhoderic Dhu, the 
butternut hats and coats began to appear from every 
fence corner, and from behind every bush, until quite a 
considerable force was developed. Still the four men kept 
on, going straight toward the whole lot, until they were 
ordered to come back, which they did with great re- 
luctance. 

General Dodge had remained all this while with the 81st 
Ohio, watching the movement, and superintending the 
crossing of other troops on the right. It Avas now about 
4 P. M., and by this time |X)rtions of General Sweenej^'s 
and Colonel Banc's brigades had effected a crossing far- 
ther to the right. The General determined to make a 
thorough reconnoisance of the whole space in front, and, 
if possible, give the enemy battle. For this purpose he 
ordered out a grand line of skirmishers. Taking the rail- 
road for the center, he deployed to the right and left one 
of the lonu'est lines of skirmishers which we had then 
seen. Five companies (all large) of the 81st Ohio were 
out : F, I and C deployed, and D and K following close in 
reserve. A like number from at least three other regi- 
ments made a line which was estimated to be two miles in 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 59 

length. The ground was ahnost wholly clear, and de- 
scending, with bat slight irregularities, it was possible 
from various points to obtain a view of the whole line, 
with its dark little bodies of companies in reserve follow- 
ing close after it at regular intervals, while at a little greater 
distance to the rear could be seen the main reserves moving 
in splendid order, with their flashing banners unfurled, 
and floating majestically in the brightening rays of the 
declining sun. It was a sight to move one's soul ; and 
what gave it additional interest was, that all along our 
whole front, at a distance just out of range of our guns, 
the rebel horsemen kept slowly moving on, no doubt en- 
amored of the splendid spectacle presented to their view. 
Now and then some lingerer would find himself saluted 
by the music of our balls, and would hasten forward, out 
of range. Still, steadily the grand line, with its primary 
and secondary reserves, moved on, halting occasionally to 
correct the alignment or to make observations. As steadily, 
halting when we did, the rebels moved, taking care to not 
stop within range. Once on the left, a bold rebel remained 
secreted within a little skirt of woods until we came in 
good range, when he fired, the ball touching the fingers of 
Sergeant Workman, Company I, 81st Ohio, inflicting only 
a slight wound. Quick as a flash a dozen of our Enfields 
answered his lone shot, and he was not bold enough to try 
another. 

In this manner we proceeded until sunset, when the line 
had advanced three miles from the creek, and both flanks 
had reached a dense forest, while the center was but a 
short distance from the edge of the clear ground. So far 
we had moved without opposition ; the rebels slowly re- 
tiring before us without evincing any desire to accept 
battle. At dusk the line was halted, and soon after was 
silently withdrawn to the opposite side of Town Creek. 
The object of the expedition had been as fully accomplished 



60 HISTORY OF THE 

as it was possible to do. General Dodge had kept the en- 
emy engaged for two days and nights, during which time 
it was hoped Colonel Straight would be far on his way. 
The sequel proved that that officer was delayed for the 
purpose of obtaining stock to mount his troops until the 
first day was virtually wasted. The next day about noon 
his movement was communicated to the force before Gen- 
eral Dodge, and it was withdrawn as quickly as possible 

thereafter. 

General Dodge therefore returned to Corinth as expedi- 
tiously as possible, burning all corn and supplies of every 
kind that could be found. 

The march was the most extended the regiment had 
then taken, being one of eighteen days duration, yet it 
was the best. Excellent discipline rendered it at once the 
most pleasant and the most orderly movement they had 
yet made, and although the rations were short at the close 
of the campaign, and the troops weary with the march, 
yet on the 2d of May the regiment marched into camp 
with banners flying, music sounding, and step as regular 
as if returning from drill, icitli every man in Ms place. 

Immediately upon the return from this expedition, the 
81st Ohio completed their very comfortable summer quar- 
ters of little wooden structures covered and enclosed 
by clap-boards made by the soldiers. The work 
was scarcely finished until orders were received to 
change camp to a position about a mile south of Cor- 
inth, lately occui)ied by the Ohio Brigade. This change 
was less unwelcome to the 81st, from the fact that it was 
assigned to the excellent quarters constructed by the 27th 
Ohio. This position had also the additional advantage of 
being in a beautiful grove, affording a most welcome shade 
in the hot days. Water was abundant and near at hand, 
an excellent drill ground was contiguous to the camj), and 
there was nothing wanting to complete the pleasantness 
of the situation. 



ErGHTY-rmST OIIIO INFANTRY VOLS. 61 



CHAPTER YI. 

POCAHONTAS AND PULASKI. 

But the soldier never can be sure of the continuance of 
any "good thing" in his military life. The change in the 
line of communication from that by way of Columbus, 
Kentucky, to the direct line from Memphis, made about 
this time, and the consequent changing of garrison, made 
it necessary for General Dodge to distribute a portion of 
the garrison of Corinth along the road toward Memphis. 
The Second Brigade was ordered to Pocahontas, about 
twenty miles from Corinth. On the 3d of June, the 81st 
Ohio very reluctantly started from their beautiful encamp- 
ment. Not leaving Corinth until nearly noon, the regi- 
ment had not gone half the distance until a terrific storm 
of wind and rain came upon them, completely drenching 
every man, and rendering the roads almost impassable. 
The same storm blew down a number of trees in the en- 
campment which the regiment had just left, crushing a 
number of the houses m such a manner that if the regi- 
ment had been there death must have ensued. As it was, 
although no one was killed, yet all passed a most disa- 
greeable night in bivouac — a condition not at all amelior- 
ated by the remembrance of the almost princely quarters 
they had occupied the previous nignt. About noon on 
the 4th, the Second Brigade reached Pocahontas. It was 
anything but a pleasant prospect. An old, dilapidated 
village, whose very slatternliness was sufficient to make 
one melancholy, answered to the name of Pocahontas. It 
had one redeeming feature : it had never yet been occu- 
pied permanently by either Federal or Confederate forces, 
and was consequently in that pure state of nature which 



62 HISTORY OF THE 

is so desirable for an encampment. The 81st Ohio was 
assigned to a tolerably pleasant position in the edge of a 
woods near the town, and this time, disdaining to build 
permanent quarters from which they could at any moment 
be ousted without their consent, they pitched their tents 
in true military style. One or two of the companies, how- 
ever, having faith in the permanency of their location, 
erected temporary wooden quarters. Captain Henry's 
company (H) was ordered to Muddy Creek, about two 
miles west of Pocahontas, for the purpose of guarding the 
railroad bridge over "that stream. 

By degrees the position at Pocahontas became more in- 
viting. The bustle occasioned by such a body of troops 
infused some life into the dull town. The country in the 
vicinity was productive, and the troops had their tables 
bountifully supplied with all the fruits and vegetables 
which the market afforded. The duty was chiefly formal 
picket duty — no drills being had on account of the hot 
weather. In this easy way the summer was passed, with- 
out any incidents of importance. 

It was in July of this year that General Oglesby, who 
had been made Major-General for his gallant action at the 
battle of Corinth, and who, for some time had been in 
command of the Left Wing, 16th Army Corps, was com- 
pelled to resign. As his parting order makes honorable 
mention of the Second Brigade, and of the 81st Ohio, I 
am sure every member of the regiment will be glad to 
preserve, in this form, those words of their gallant com- 
mander. It will be observed that, with characteristic 
modesty, he makes no allusion to the fact that his wound, 
received at Corinth, was the sole cause of the j^hysical in- 
firmity which compelled him to resign. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS, 63 

" Headquarters Left Wing 16th Army Corps, ) 
Memphis, Tennessee, July 6, 1863. j 

* General Orders, No. 21 : 

'' Continued pain, resulting from, pliysical infirmity, as- 
sures me that I am not able faithfully to discharge the 
duties of the high position given me by the President of 
the United States. 

" I have therefore tendered my resignation as a Major- 
General of United States Volunteers. In taking leave of 
a command, with a portion of which I have been so long 
and so intimately associated, I may be excused for indulg- 
ing in the expression of feelings which have grown into 
sentiments of the most ardent attachment. 

" It will be remembered by them also that I have never 
officially reported the part taken by the Second Brigade of 
the Second Division of the Army of the Tennessee, in the 
terrible battle fought on the 3d day of October, A. D. 1862, 
at Corinth. Now, for them, let me do something like jus- 
tice to the devoted courage of the 9th, 12th and (J6th Illi- 
nois, and 2*2d and 81st Ohio Volunteers, and to Mersey, 
Chetlain, Burke, Wood and Morton, their able and worthy 
commanders; to Colonel Mersey, as the command of the 
Brigade fell upon him when I left the field. 

It must be recorded of those soldiers, that no men ever 
fought more daringly, when in the final charge on Friday 
afternoon. They actually drove three times their num- 
ber of stubborn men fairly from the field, and from the 
high road to Corinth, then not one-half mile distant. 

" I shall always believe that nothing but the desperate 
fighting of the Second Division of the Army of the Ten- 
nessee, on the main Chewalla Eoad, saved Corinth from 
the possession of the enemy on Friday afternoon, for which 
I shall never cease to thank you. Fellow-soldiers, I part 
with you with much regret. I have known your suffer- 
ings, and with pride have witnessed j^our devotion to our 
common and noble cause. You have endured one hard- 
ship, to encounter another ; have gone from one field of 
victory to another of blood, and have at all times felt and 
80 acted as to satisfy good men that you had honor and a 
country at stake, and have hesitated at no risk to save 
either. Your country must love you. Your country does 
love you. The world in all time to come will honor you. 
Reverence for you must be eternal. The obscure soldier, 



64 HISTORY OF THE 

who toils through this war, will have an unwritten but an 
unforgotton history, an ever present conscience repaying 
him with its rich rewards. 

" Faithful soldier, thou hast served thy country Avell. 
I shall never forget you, nor shall I abate my efforts to 
sustain you at home. That man in the loyal States, who 
is not thought and soul for you, for the Union, and for the 
war, is no friend of mine, is no true friend of humanity 
anywhere. I reflect with just pride upon the names of 
those gallant officers who have led you to battle, some- 
times under my command. How much the country owes 
them ; how much they are to be honored ; the discreet and 
indefatigable Dodge, Sweeney, Mersey, Bane, Rice, Mizner, 
M'Crillis, Hatch, Cornyn and Phillips. Amongst those of 
former days, I well remember Logan, M' Arthur, Ransom, 
Lawler, the lamented Wallace, and others equally worthy. 
With such men to lead and inspire you we cannot fail. 
The proud army of the Great West, with scarcely a reverse, 
presents to the nation a boquet of victory, the gratitude 
and admiration of the whole people. 

" You may well say : This war can not last much longer. 
You, who have witnessed traitors with haughty pretension 
crouch at your feet for mercy ; the mansions of the dom- 
ineering rich turned into boarding houses, and the chiv- 
alry turned landlord and lady, for the entertainment of 
Yankee officers. Those w^ho have spurned, beg for favors 
at your hands ;. and swearing a new allegiance for protec- 
tion to property, meanly violate it to serve a rebel. It is 
fit and proper that such a people, who foolishly wage such 
a war, should at last meet face to face the black race of 
the South, bend to the rod of the slaves they have so long 
outraged, and tremble before the men proclaimed by them 
to have no rights. A just retribution, one they can not 
avoid ; the humiliation their own bold treason has brought 
upon them ; a resort that needs no justification in the 
sight of God or man, for it is right. 

[Signed] R. J. OGLESBY, 

Major-General." 

So highly was General Oglesby esteemed, that instead 
of accepting his resignation, he was granted six months' 
leave of absence. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 65 

During the stay of the regiment at Pocahontas, the most 
of the watching for the enemy, and almost all the marches 
against hin., were made by the mounted &««- fl^ ^^^ 
imnois, under command of the dashing and Sf -"* ^' »*, 
Col Phillips. It is true that in September, when Foil est 
made serious attacks upon the railroad at CollierviUe, 
"here a part of the division, to which the 81st belonged 
had quitl a severe fight, a part of the regiment was moved 
up to Grand Junction, but it was but a temporary absence 
In October a good position was selected, and in prospect 
of spending the winter there, the troops went to work with 
a wUl to cLstruct winter quarters. The finest splitting 
timber was selected, and great care was exercised in mak- 
ing the boards. Each company had its ground aecnratcly 
staked ofl'-the streets between the companies were o 
uniform width, and the quarters were ordered to be bud 
with the same regard for regularity. Busy hands phed 
earnestly day after day, until the camp was completed, 
and the regiment was in ecstacies over the beautiful and 
comfortable quarters erected. Visions of cheerful winter 
evenings before their bright, old-fashioned fires, and 
thou<.hts of comfort upon returning from some cheerless 
tour of picket or fatigue duty, filled their imaginations, and 
they felt as if they hardly needed the sympathy so often ten- 
dered by friends at home for the poor soldier. But, alas . 

" The best laid plans o' mice and men 

Gang aft aglee, . „ , . 

And bring us nought but gnef an pain 

For promised joy." 

A fatality seemed to attend the efforts «f «!« ^^f " ^j! 
matter of providing comfortable quarters. They had left 
a fine camp at Corinth, after enjoying it but abou three 
weeks, and now Camp Brough_a name given to this en- 
campment in honor of the election of Gov Brough, the 
news of which reached them about the tune the work was 
done-even Camp Brough had to be evacuated. General 



66 HISTORY OF THE 

Sherman was passing that way on his famous march from 
Memphis, and, as if catching the infection of his wonderful 
energy, all the troops of the Left Wing, 16th Army Corps, 
now commanded by General Dodge, prepared to move in 
the same direction. The 81st Ohio left Pocahontas about 
the last of October, expecting to accompany Sherman and 
join the army about Chattanooga. 

Passing through Corinth, luka and Eastport, the 81st 
crossed the Tennessee at the latter point and moved on 
through Tennessee. The roads w^ere generally in excel- 
lent condition, the weather mild and favorable, great care 
was taken in regulating the distance marched each day, 
and in selecting places of encampment, and the result was 
that the march was but a pleasure trip. No lagging be- 
hind, no straggling, but a continuous care for the comfort, 
on the part of officers, and a respect for orders on the part 
of the men. At one time, after crossing the Tennessee, a 
portion of the wagon train was attacked by a small party 
of guerrillas, and two wagons captured and burnt, the 
mules being taken away. The party was immediately 
driven off, and no more interruptions occurred. The 
troops found an abundance of sweet potatoes, chickens, 
turkeys, hogs and cattle with which to eke out very pal- 
atably the scanty rations with which they left the river. 
The principle of subsisting on the enemy had already been 
sufficiently approved and applied by this command to ena- 
ble the soldiers to unearth potatoes or catch a chicken 
with very little compunction of conscience. However, 
this matter was generally done in a lawful manner. For- 
aging details were made, to obtain whatever was necessary 
for the command. 

On the 10th of November, General Dodge's command 
reached Pulaski, the county seat of Giles county, Tenn. 
Here, very unexpectedly to himself and to his troops, he 
received orders to halt, and to garrison and rebuild the 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTM VOLS. 67 

Tennessoo and Alabama Railroad, running from Nashville 
to Decatur. This was, in effect, an order to go .nto wmt r 
quarters, but as it was not immediately communicated to 
the troops, and remembering their former -penence^ the 
81st Ohio boys were slow to attempt buildmg huts Upon 
leaving Pocahontas all tents, except three or four had been 
torld^at Corinth, and the troops were thus left shelterless 
in the beginning of winter. To add to th.s d.scomfort of 
the situation, the place selected for the <^^-^V oi i^e^^^t 
was on a rather steep hiU-side, in an open field, on a sod 
which, during a rain, formed first-class mud. On that 
bleak hill-side the troops tried in vain to find comfort by 
building little rail pens and covering them with their 
water-proof blankets. It is not wonderful that the loose 
plank lying about Pulaski found its way, during the nights, 
io these miserable excuses for tents; nor is it at all won- 
derful that this tendency toward camp, exhibited by loose 
plank, ended there. It was currently reported, m the lan- 
guage of one of the soldiers, who had witnessed the phe- 
nomenon,"that if a soldier only leaned -g'^^"^* ^ ^°;^ 
fence in the night, the nails would dropout, and the boards 
would stick to his clothes until he reached camp \ 

Be this as it may, it is certain that in a short time there 
was such a collection of odds and ends of boards in camp, 
that a moderate degree of comfort was obtained although 
the structures put up were of all conceivable shapes and 
stes. Messengers were dispatched to Corinth o bring on 
the tents, but having to come by water to Nashville they 
were a long time delayed. When they arrived, the tents 
were used as roofing to comfortable and moderately uni- 
form houses. 

Company A was soon detached and sent to Wales a 
.ta'ion'on'the railroad, about four -«- &om Pi.aski 
where it remained all winter. Companies B, E, P, G and 
K, under command of Major Evans, were sent to Sam s 



^S HISTORY OP THE 



Mills, about six miles north-east of Pulaski. In a short 
time Major Evans, with companies B, E and F, was ordered 
to Nance's Mills, near Cornersville, leaving Captain Over- 
myer in command of the two companies at Sam's Mills. 
Headquarters of the regiment remained at Pulaski, with 
the four companies left there. 

The object of holding these mills was to enable the com- 
mand to eat up the garnered grain of that hitherto well- 
filled depot of supplies for the rebels. It was well known 
that the large surplus quantities of wheat and corn, if not 
Tised by our forces, would, in someway, either fall into the 
hands of the rebels, or form a very tempting bait to a starved 
command to make a raid. So the very fine steam mills 
above mentioned were appropriated to Union millers in 
blue, and were used to their utmost capacity in grinding 
flour to supply the troops of General Dodge's command. 
The citizens were encouraged to bring in their wheat to 
the mills, and voluntarily turn it over to the military au- 
thorities, in which case they received for it a fair market 
price in vouchers that were paid immediately. But if they 
refused to bring forward their produce, then it was seized 
by the troops, and vouchers given which could only be 
paid upon proof of loyalty. 

The plan worked admirably. The fiirmers gladly availed 
themselves of so good a market, and the mills were kept 
running day and night. Under the superintendence of 
Captain W. H. Hill, 81st Ohio, who was detailed as Super- 
intendent of all the mills, the garrison at Pulaski was kept 
constantly sui^plied with flour and meal, so that, except 
for the mounted command, no hard bread at all was issued 
to the troops. The same regulations were made in refer- 
ence to hogs and cattle, and of these, too, the troops had 
an abundance. 



EIGHTY FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 69 



CHAPTER YII. 

AT PULASKI. 

Major Evans had a few of his men mounted, and spent 
a good portion of time in scouring the country in pursmt 
of a gang of guerrillas that iniested that vicm.ty On 
one of these occasions, one of his party, If « J^^nny 
Nott as he wag called, a member of Company E, 81st Ohio, 
performed a gallant action, which deserves to be remem- 

bered. 

Youno- Nott, being somewhat in advance of the rest, ob- 
served a Confederate Captain on horseback a short distance 
before him. Immediately Johnny put spurs to his horse, 
and started toward the Captain, who esteeming discretion 
to be the better part of valor, attempted to escape by flight. 
Fortunately Notfs horse was a very fine one, wh. e the 
Confederate charger was not good in a retreat. Each mo- 
ment carried the two desperate riders farther away fiom 
the Major's force, while it also lessened the distance be- 
tween themselves. Easter and faster flew the Fedei^l sol- 
I dier • nearer and nearer he approached the flying chiv- 
alrv'" When the rebel was within hailing distance, 
Johnny, to his horror, discovered him attempting to draw 
a revolver from a scabbard at his back. Young Nott 
called to him to halt, but still he kept on, busy m trying 
to extricate his revolver. Knowing that time was every- 
thing in this condition of affairs, Johnny boldly dashed 
alongside the rebel, and pointing a revolver at h>s &ce, a 
second time ordered him to halt. The Captain haled 
Being unable still to draw his stubborn revolver, he had 
no choice but to surrender to this mere boy, and Johnny 
brought him back in triumph to the remainder of the 



70 HISTORY OF THE 

party, who were thus first informed of the adventure. 
The officer was Captain Lewis, of the 53d Tennessee, and 
was just going back to his regiment, after enjoying a short i 
furlough at home in that vicinity. 

In acknowledgement of his gallantry in this affair, little 
Johnny Nott was permitted to retain the revolver which 
he captured. 

The winter was passed by the regiment in much the 
same routine. The portion stationed at the mills worked 
at preparing and hauling saw logs, and at confiscating such 
forage as they needed in addition to what the citizens vol- 
untarily brought in and turned over. Those stationed at 
Pulaski, had regular and frequent duty at picket, forage 
and fatigue duty. As a picture of the usual experience at 
that time, I extract from a letter written January 9, 1864 : 
" The old year died in a storm of wind and snow and 
hail. Hoary winter, with his beard of icicles, and his 
breath of frost, triumphantly ushered in the new year, and 
placed him on his icy throne. Every wind and zephyr 
caught the spirit of the new dynasty, and straightway, 
like couriers, they sped over the land, carrying with them 
the chill that encircled the throne. High carnival for 
Winter! A new year inaugurated under his auspices. 
Eight vigorously does he use his power. Perhaps, as 
around our northern homes the wintry blasts howl, and 
the snow flies in eddjnng whirls, and the air becomes like 
a knife, while within-doors the grates glow with warmth- 
giving coals, and the cabin hearths are ablaze with the 
roaring, crackling winter fires—perhaps in our homes there 
are hearts that shudder as they think of some loved one 
in their circle, now absent in the army, and wonder if he 
is not cold and shivering on a cheerless picket post. ' Oh 
where is my boy to-night?' is the anxious inquiry of many 
a mother's heart, as she looks out on the wintry scene. 

" Alas ! that I can not say that the soldiers do not suffer ! 
Winter brings no cessation of duty. As many men stand 
as sentinels around this command when the thermometer 
falls below zero as Avhen the sun sends down his kindliest 
rays. The Quartermasters send as many wagons over the 



EMHTY-EIKST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 71 

frozen ground for forage and supplies as they sent when 
the m-onnd was smooth. The teamsters and tram guards 
ar fot lessened in number. Yet after all, there ,s more 
solicitude for our comfort in the homes we have le«, than 
we feel here. Bach soldier makes it his special duty to 
provide for his own comfort, and the result is that he suffers 
comparatively little, and complains less than if he depen led 
upoi others. If on picket, he passes his t^o l?"^™ """^'y 
as best he may, knowing that at the end of his ' trick he 
has four h^ui^ at his own disposal, in which time he can 
prov do a fire. He does not sit down helplessly, and whine 
becI.Se the Government does not provide him a warm 
shefter-le builds one for himself, and if on re urning to 

the same post to duty, he finds ^f «l-f >■ l^-X a mtienc: 
no childish tears over his misfortune, tu with a p~e 
and cheerfulness that would do honor to the tiaditional 
spidet ^ith a broken web, he builds again and again for 

the hundredth time. ^^ . ^4. cnr^^aiftq? 

"The citizens of this vicinity say that not Bmce 1837, 
has there been such cold weather as that of the past week. 
Yet notwithstanding the number of men exposed, there 
has'been no case of severe freezmg among them ,n Here 
and there an ear or a finger has been ' frosted, but there 
have been no serious cases." 

During the months of December and January, the regi- 
ment was intenselv excited on the subject of re-enbstmg, 
Tinder the provisions of the order from the War Depart- 
ment for the organization of a veteran force. By this or- 
der troops who had less than a year to serve under their 
existing enlistment, and who had served at least two years, 
could, by re-enlisting for three years or duricg the war, 
unless sooner discharged, obtain a discharge from their 
present enlistment, get the bounty of one hundred dollars 
which was to be paid at the end of their three years' ser- 
vice have a furlough of thirty days immediately upon re- 
enlisting, and get a veteran bounty in instalments amount- 
ing in all to $402. 

Five companies of the regiment, B, C, D, E and F came 
clearly under the provisions of the order, but the remain- 



72 HISTORY OF THE 

ing five had only been in service since October, 1862, and had 
consequently, not fulfilled one of the requirements — that of 
having alreadj^ served two years. But they claimed that 
they had less than a year to serve, as they insisted that 
they had been enlisted for the unexpired term of the reg- 
iment, which would make their term of service expire in 
the autumn of 1864. Unfortunately their muster-in rolls 
were all made in the usual form, declaring that " the men 
and officers above named were accepted into the service of 
the United States for the term of three years, unless sooner 
discharged, from this date." And, although the mustering 
officer, in explanation at the time of the muster-in, stated 
distinctly that these were only necessary formal words, 
and he would muster them in for three years, with the un- 
derstanding that one year had already expired, yet on ap- 
plication to the War Department in the matter, Secretary 
Stanton peremptorily decided that the muster- in rolls 
should, in all cases, determine the date of muster-out. 
Pending this application, an effort was made among the 
men of these companies to ascertain how many of them 
would re-enlist as veterans, in case they would be 
allowed to do so, and fully three-fourths of them were 
found willing to re-enlist. Of course, the decision above 
referred to deprived them of the privilege, and restricted 
the enlistment of veterans to the five old companies. 

There were many reasons why it was not extremely 
popular in the regiment to re-enlist. It required the re- 
enlistment of at least three -fourths of the number of men 
present in a company or regiment to enable it to go home 
as an organization, and retain the same organization. 
The cutting off of the five new companies made it impos- 
sible for the regiment to go home together, and hence ef- 
fort had to be left to the companies. Here various reasons * 
operated to deter the men. Fears of being transferred to 
some strange company, or regiment, deterred some ; the 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 73 

thought that if they re-enlisted they would only make the 
draft, which was then impending, more easy on some cow- 
ardly copperhead, who needed a schooling in the ranks, 
had its influence on many. Others received letters from 
home begging them not to re-enter the service — saying 
that three years of faithful service was enough for those 
who went at the first call, without hope of reward, espe- 
cially when the North was full of able-bodied men who 
had never been in the service at all. 

Notwithstanding all these disadvantages, I am proud to 
be able to say that in this regiment, at least, patriotism tri- 
umphed over self-interest, and such reasons as these influ- 
enced those who could not have been induced by the reward 
in a furlough and the bounty. Said one — •' I will re-enlist be- 
cause I know the Government needs more troops, and thati 
am worth more as a soldier than a new man would be; I 
know, too, that the effect of a general re-enlistment upon the 
rebels will be equal to a victory for us, while it will insure a 
strong army for the coming campaign," So these men, 
whom we cannot praise too highly, voluntarily gave three 
years more of their services to their country. All did not 
re-enlist. There were many quite as brave and patriotic 
who could not feel it to be their duty to be longer from 
their families, but the majority of the 3'oung men re-en- 
listed. Company C bore the palm, furnishing tw^enty- 
seven veterans. Company B was next, having twenty- 
two, then E with eighteen, F with twelve, and little Com- 
pany D gave eleven. There were not enough from any 
company to allow any ofiicer to accompany them home, 
so they were sent home in two squads : one under Ser- 
geant Mader, of Company C, and the other under Sergeant 
Mason, of Company B. The veterans enjoyed their thirty 
days' furlough to the fullest extent, lavishing their money 
with princely hands, and returning promptly to their posts 
of duty. 

6 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

Earty in March Gen. Dodge extended his command from 
Athens to Decatur, Alabama, by capturing the latter place 
early one morning by surprise. The rebel force retreated 
hastily. This extention of territory required i^ome change 
in the position of the troops, in consequence of which the 
81st Ohio, excepting the three companies at Nance's Mills, 
were ordered to Lynnville, which place had previously 
been garrisoned by Col. Bane's brigade. Here again the 
troops built comfortable quarters in quite neat style, be- 
sides preparing a quite formidable stockade. 

About the last of January as a couple of wagons were 
going out from Capt. Overmyer's command at Sam's 
Mills, for forage, as they were accustomed to do, they 
were attacked at a brick church on the Shelbj^ville Pike, 
about two miles from the mill, by a squad of thirty Con- 
federate cavalry, and as there were but nine men with the 
wagons, and they totally unprepared for so sudden an 
attack, they were captured. The rebels burned the two 
wagons and hurried off with the mules, arms and equip- 
ments. Private Mills of Company G was wounded and 
left. Five men of Company G and three of Company K 
were captured. As soon as possible Major Evans started 
in j)ursuit with a mounted force and very nearly succeeded 
in overtaking the scoundrels. They paroled .their pris- 
oners that night and sent them back, first relieving them 
of their watches. The rebels knew very well that these 
paroles were not recognized by us, and the fact that they 
gave them was but evidence of their great fear for their 
own safety, which led them to disencumber themselves 
so readily. The capture of these two wagons, however, 
seemed to save a larger train of commissary wagons from 
Pulaski, which the rebels were anxious to get, but which 
they could not afford to wait for after the noise of this 
affair. 

About the first of April, Captain Gibson, wiio had for 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 75 

some time been engaged as Buperintendent of the mills, 
in place of Capt. Hill, who had gone North, had the mis- 
fortune to become a prisoner of war. He had come to 
Lynnville on a visit, in company with Major Alman, a 
citizen, living at Nance's Mills, and as they were return- 
ing in the evening, three men suddenly sprang upon them 
and took them prisoners. They immediately released 
Major Alman, who went on to the mills and gave the 
alarm. He had recognized one of the men as the son of 
a neighbor. Captain Gibson was taken a few miles, re- 
lieved of his horse, revolver, watch and three hundred 
dollars in money. Major Evans started in pursuit and 
succeeded in recapturing the horse and in establishing 
the fact that the father of one of the robbers lived in 
the neighborhood. He was wealthy and was compelled 
to make good Captain Gibson's loss. 

Early in April, the Division commander had telegraphed 
to Col. Adams to hold his command in readiness to move 
at a moment's notice, but as no subsequent order was re- 
ceived for a few days, it was thought to be one of the 
many orders of the kind given for the sake of precaution. 
The troops were settling down into the belief that they 
would be consigned for another summer to the easy but 
inglorious duty of guarding the railroad. But it was not 
to be so. On the 18th of April, orders came from Division 
Headquarters for the regiment to move to Pulaski. On 
the 19th the march was made, a detachment of dismounted 
cavalry relieving the 81st in the onerous duty of taking 
care of Lynnville. 

But there was little rest at Pulaski. The regiment 
barely rested there until Col. Adams received orders to 
take his command to Martin's Plantation, about seven 
miles distant, for the purpose of putting the fences in 
repair and guarding the public animals which were to be 
pastured there. This the boys looked on as a punishment 



76 HISTORY OF THE 

they did not deserve. If guarding railroads was unsuited 
to their military ardor, what could be expected in the 
peaceful occupation of a quiet farm, in mending its fences 
and watching a sickly herd of worn out Government 
horses and mules ! Nevertheless this life had its charms 
in freedom from military displays, in drill and review, and 
then the location was pleasant and healthy, and the troops 
went to work cheerfully to make themselves comfortable. 
Details were made for guarding the mules that were luxu- 
uriating in the rich pasture, and for splitting rails to 
repair the rickety fences. The latter parties made won- 
derful progress in the way of felling enormous trees, 
but did very little toward cutting off the lengths or split- 
ting them into rails. The noise of the falling trees 
seemed to have charms for them above the pleasures of 
turning out large numbers of bright new rails. 

According to all military precedence, the establishment 
of this regiment at this place was equivalent to fixing it here 
for the summer, and accordingly a site was selected with 
great care for a permanent camping ground, and large 
details were made to clear it off and put up the tents. The 
ground was cleared and swept, and the sound of axes 
and hammers grew clamorous, as, under the hands of the 
busy workmen the white city was rapidly taking form, 
when, as if by some stroke of witchery, every hand was 
dropped, and building up was changed to pulling down. 
An order had come to move immediately to Pulaski. It 
was afternoon, but the tents were immediately pulled 
down and rapidly loaded into wagons, and by four o'clock, 
on the 26th of April, the regiment, preceded by its excel- 
lent drum band which made the Avoods resonant with 
" The girl I left behind me," started again toward Pulaski. 
There was the usual amount of wondering and guessing 
about what this movement meant, but as all the Govern- 
ment mules and horses were also taken to Pulaski, it was 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 77 

universally conceded that this time there was to be a 
jreneral movement. After a brisk march, the regiment 
went into bivouac at Pulaski, and learned that the compa- 
nies under Major Evans were also ordered m, and that 
the whole division was under marching orders and would 
move as soon as the extra baggage could be disposed of. 
Then ensued a busy time. The accumulated trash of six 
months' garrison duty was to be cast aside, and the sol- 
diers were to reduce themselves to the lightest marching 
order. Farewells were to be spoken to those " lights ot 
the camp ' -the wives of officers, who, by their presence, 
had given such a home air to the otherwise forbiddmg 
country. Alas! who could tell if this should not be the 

last farewell ? 

The day before the departure from Pulaski, the troops 
were called out to witness the sad sight of the execution 
of a soldier of the 7th Illinois, who, in 1862, at Corinth 
had shot his captain. He was tried at the time by Court 
Martial, and sentenced to death, but the finding and sen- 
tence were by some means lost, and the general beliet 
was that they never would be found, but in this the poor 
man was doomed to disappointment. He was an ill- 
favored stolid looking man, and seemed to be not at a i 
affected by his impending fate. He marched to the gal- 
lows with an air of carelessness and indifference that was 
positively shocking. A short prayer, a hasty adjustment 
of the cap and rope— a fall— and all was over. 



78 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER YIII. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM PULASKI TO RESACA. 

On the 29th of April, 1864, the troops of the old Second 
Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, Army of the Ten- 
nessee, again unfurled their banners and marched tov^ard 
the enemy. Just two years before, they had started from 
the bloody field of Shiloh, on the then famous campaign 
against Corinth. It was of a little more than a month's 
duration, and required a march of not much more than 
forty miles, including the pursuit to Booneville. What 
of the coming campaign? Who knows? Will it last a 
month ? It certainty will require more than forty miles 
of marching, for the nearest enemy in force is two hun- 
dred miles away, at Dal ton. Ah ! it is well, faithful sol- 
dier, that you do not know how far you must march — 
what days of toil and nights of watching await you. 
And you, fated ones, who are marching to your glorious 
death on the battle-fields of Georgia, and to your soldier's 
grave soon to envelop you there, do you ask to know what 
is in the near future for you ? No, no : let the veil, which 
the beneficent hand of Providence has drawn over the 
events of the future, rest. You have nobly chosen the 
soldier's lot; go on, and heroically bear whatsoever bur- 
den shall fall to you. If death is yours, you go but earlier 
to your rest ; if life, the gratitude of a whole country will 
be a perpetual incense, reminding you of the sacrifices 
you have made. 

Gen. Dodge's entire command, known as the Left Wing 
of the 16th Army Corps, and consisting of the Second Divis- 
ion, commanded by Brig. Gen. Sweeney, and the Fourth 
Division under command of Brig. Gen. James C. Yeatch, 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 1& 

moved simultaneously from the various positions in such 
manner as to concentrate before reaching Chattanooga. 

The first day's march was not a difficult one. ihe 
ground was a little muddy, but under the inspiriting in- 
fluence of the splendid drum corps of the regiment the 
boys of the 81st tripped gayly through the streets ot 
Pulaski, and out on their unknown journey. Every few 
miles on the way the drums would beat up, and the 
scattered and half weary column would at once, as if by 
magic, spring into order, and taking the cadenced step, 
would present such a military spectacle as astonished the 
minds of the rustic and openeyed native beholders. Near 
night we came to the Elk River, flowing broadly before 
us! but innocent of ferry or bridge. We had forded Bear 
Creek a year ago, and were not to be discomfited now by 
this stream. The command " forward ! " was given, and 
the head of the column plunged in, and boldly marched 
to the opposite shore. The water was about waist deep, 
and the stream a hundred yards wide. Many never dis- 
robed at all, but most were careful to keep their clothing 
as well as their powder, dry. The command bivouacked 
on the farther shore. 

On the next day the march was resumed m the direc- 
tion of HuntsviUe, which place we reached on the evening 
of May 1st From HuntsviUe the line of march was along 
the railroad toward Chattanooga. All along we found 
deserted camps where the 15th corps had been encamped, 
which gave ns the first intimation that there was to be a 
grand concentration of troops against the rebel army at 
Dalton. Early on the morning of the 4th, the Second 
Division arrived at Larkinsville, Alabama, and there dis- 
covered, to the joy of the tired soldiers that cars were in 
waiting to transport them to Chattanooga. The wagons 
were all sent over land to Chattanooga under escort of 
Col. Phillips and his Ninth Illinois mounted infantry. 



80 HISTORY OF THE 

The embarkation occupied nearly half a day, but shortly 
after noon the heavy trains got under way. Very soon 
after leaving Stevenson we began to come in sight of the 
marching column of the 15th Corps, which, with its long 
lines of troops and immense wagon train, seemed to stretch 
from that place almost to Chattanooga. By sunset our 
trains arrived, and we disembarked and went into bivouac 
at the base of grand old Lookout Mountain. But not- 
withstanding the historic associations called np by that 
eternal monument to the gallantry of our soldiers, there 
was no time for satisfying curiosity by visiting the inter- 
esting place, for early on the 5th the order was again 
forward, and the troops moved south about nine miles 
and encamped at Lee & Gordon's Mills, where the first 
shots in the battle of Chicamauga were fired. 

There all day of the 6th was spent in waiting for the 
15th corps to get up. The rest was gratefully apjoreciated 
by the boys, who spent the day in bathing in the waters 
of the classic Chicamauga, and in visiting friends in other 
Ohio regiments in the corps. 

On the 7th, McPherson's army moved, taking the road 
toward Lafayette, but leaving it again and passing that 
village on the north. The command halted and encamped 
for the night at Eock Spring, twelve miles from Lee & 
Gordon's Mills. The next day we reached Snake Creek 
Gap and moved well down into it that night. So far all 
was well. We had expected opposition in entering some 
of these gaps, and had met with none. A couple of rebel 
scouts had boldly crossed our column on the 8th, between 
Col. Burke and the front regiment of his brigade, but 
otherwise we saw not even the signs of where soldiers 
had been. Gen. Sherman's advance upon the enemy's 
front at Rocky Face Gap had been so vigorous and de- 
monstrative that Johnston did not suppose it possible that 
a body of troops could march into Snake Creek Gap. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 81 

However, it became known to him about this time that 
some troops had reached this Gap, and accordingly on the 
morning of the 9th, as the 16th Corps started toward 
Resaca with the 9th Illinois mounted infantry in advance, 
the ball was opened b}^ meeting a rebel force of cavalry 
which had arrived the previous night to defend the Gap. 
Col. Phillips with his 9th boldly charged and drove the 
rebels back, although he received a painful wound in his 
ankle which sent him north. Infantry skirmishers were 
sent to the support of the cavalry and the advance w^as 
slowly continued, the rebels skirmishing freely as they 
retired. About three o'clock, as the advance brigade 
(the 2d) was about one mile and a half frOm Resaca, a 
determined fire was opened by the rebels. The brigade 
was formed in line of battle, and four companies of the 
81 st Ohio, A, B, C and F, were sent forward as skirmishers. 
The rest of the Second Division and the Fourth Division 
were brought up continuing the line to the left. An ad- 
vance was then made until the skirmish line was within 
musket shot and in plain view of the rebel fortifications 
immediately in and about Resaca. Here a halt was called 
and preparations were made to assault the place. Slowly 
the hours wore on, but with the exception of occasional 
bursts of picket firing there was no demonstration made. 
Private Thomas D. Crossley of Company B, 81st Ohio, 
was killed about four o'clock by a rebel sharp shooter. 
He was the first man lost by the regiment in this cam- 
paign. 

The 15th Corps was close behind the Sixteenth, ready to 
render support in case it was necessary : the rebel force 
seemed small — not more than one or two brigades, and 
yet the order to assault never came. Much censure was 
expressed concerning Gen. McPherson's course here, and 
many asked again and again why he did not make the 
attack when there was such a certainty of success. The 
7 



82 HISTORY OF THE 

following I believe to be the real explanation of his course. 
In marching out from Snake Creek Grap to Eesaca that 
day, he had crossed a road which leads from Dalton to 
Rome. It was a good plain road with no obstructions, 
and as it came from Dalton on the east side of those impass- 
able mountains behind which was the remainder of General 
Sherman's army, it was of course much shorter than one 
would be from General Sherman to McPherson. Besides, 
it ran behind General McPherson's position before Resaca, 
and between him and his safe retreat in Snake Creek Gap. 
All this of course was known, we presume, in the plan- 
ning of the campaign, but it was expected that the move- 
ment would be a surprise, and it was supposed, too, that 
Johnston would more tenaciously hold his position at Dal- 
ton. His sensitiveness as to the safety of his communica- 
tions was not then so well known. But just as General 
McPherson was about to order the assault, he learned that 
a heavy force of rebels was marching down the Rome road 
with the intention of cutting him off from Snake Creek 
Gap, and consequently from the rest of the army. With 
this knowledge he determined to abandon the attack on 
Eesaca and fall back to the strong defensible position in 
Snake Creek Gap. Accordingly at dusk the skirmishers 
w^ere quietly called in, and the whole force, after kindling 
innumerable sham camp fires, slowly withdrew. 

The next morning the 16th Corps was placed in position 
at the south-west side of the mouth of the Gap, across the 
Calhoun road. The 15th Corps took position farther to 
the left, and nearer in the main gap. That night it rained 
heavily, and just as the heaviest of it was coming down, 
and when the soldiers had used every artifice to keep dry 
in order to obtain some sleep, an orderly passed hurriedly 
through the lines, delivering the hasty and terrible mes- 
sage to company commanders : " Have your command to 
fall in right away, Johnston with all his force is coming 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 83 

on us! " Ah! " then and there was hurrying to and fro," 
and waking up of men whose slumbers clung to them as a 
garment. Despite the dread of meeting " Johnston and all 
his force," in that plight, it was a very difficult matter to 
get the soldiers roused and awakened to the use of their 
faculties. The darkness was opaque and the rain was un- 
remitting, yet one by one the sleepy soldiers were pulled 
out into line, and at last, when commanders supposed all 
were ready, the order was given to move. It was laugha- 
ble next morning to go over the ground occupied by our 
brigade and see evidences of haste in decamping the night 
before. Many soldiers had barely awakened in time to 
go with the troops, and left their guns and accoutrements 
behind, while others who did not sleep immediately behind 
their guns were not awakened at all, and only discovered 
in the morning that their command had gone they knew 
not where. One or two officers had the misfortune to 
forget their swords and field glasses. Every article of 
soldier's use, nearly, was found next morning among the 
abandoned articles. One company of the 81st Ohio was 
left on picket duty on the line which the brigade left, and 
they found themselves well supported in the morning by 
the unfortunate men of the command who had lost por- 
tions of their property. The brigade had only moved 
back a mile, into the mouth of the Gap, where, with the 
rest of the Corps and in conjunction with the 15th Corps, 
an extensive line of earthworks was commenced. 



84 H [STORY OF THE 



CHAPTER IX. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM SNAKE CREEK GAP TO LAy'S 

FERRY. 

All day of the 11th of May, spades and picks were busy 
in the construction of this, the first ditch of the campaign. 
All day the troops confidently and patiently awaited the 
approach of Johnston and all his force, but in vain. The 
army had not yet learned the caution of that General, or 
they would not have been troubled about his coming. 
Instead of Johnston, the troops soon had the pleasure of 
seeing the advance of the Army of the Cumberland coming 
through the G-ap. Leaving Schofield to hold Johnston at 
Rocky Face. Sherman was massing to defeat him at Ee- 
saca. All day of the 12th the long lines of the 20th and 
14th Corps came through and beyond our lines and en- 
camped in the broad fields before us. Gen. Sherman and 
Gen. Thomas also came upon the scene, and it was evident 
that something important was to be done. 

By night of the 12th, there was massed in the low ground 
at the mouth of Snake Creek Gap, such a force as few had 
seen so near together before during the war. Their camp 
fires that chilly night, formed a scene of indescribable 
beauty and grandeur which was> not untouched by a tinge 
of melancholy interest as one looked upon it and knew 
that a great battle would be fought next day, and that 
many now cheerful and happy beside these fires, would 
to-morrow night be all cold and lifeless on the battle-field ! 

Early on the morning of the 13th, every thing was astir. 
Cavalry flocked to the front and heavy masses of infantry 
moved after, and the artillery jostled on to its day's work 
of death. Soon the left of the army became engaged near 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 85 

Kesaca. As the day wore on, the battle rolled from our 
left toward the right, but did not reach the extreme right 
where the 16th Corps was posted, except the brigade com- 
manded by Col. Sprague. The brigade to which the 81st 
Ohio belonged moved slowly nearly all day, going into 
line of battle several times, and finally bivouacking within 
one mile of Eesaca at night, without having engaged in 
the fight. Almost all day the battle had raged with vary- 
ing severity on our left, including the 15th Corps which 
lay almost immediately on the left of the 16th. At night- 
fall we could plainly see the railroad south of Eesaca, 
where train after train was seen going out, evidently car- 
rying away wounded and stores, preparatory to an evacu- 
ation. 

The next day, 14th, was the final day of the battle of 
Resaca, but as the 81st had another duty to perform, 
away from the main battle-field, my pen will follow its 
movements. Early on the morning of the 14th, Gen. 
Sweeney's Division of Gen. Dodge's command was ordered 
to Lay's Ferry, where Snake Creek empties into the Ooste- 
naula" river. This is some six miles from Kesaca, and five 
from Calhoun— a town some four miles south of Kesaca, 
on the railroad to Atlanta. It was determined by General 
Sherman to lay a pontoon bridge over the Oostenaula at 
this point, in order that a force could be hurled against 
Johnston's flank and rear, in case he should determine to 
retreat. The important duty of laying this pontoon in 
the face of the enemy was assigned to Gen. Sweeney s 
Division. While the 3d brigade was instructed to make 
demonstrations at Calhoun Ferry, between Kesaca and 
Lay's Ferry, the other two brigades proceeded to the 
latter place. 

The Oostenaula is a deep, narrow, rapid stream, running 
at this ferry through banks not more than twenty feet 
high. On each side the land rises, at a distance of about 



86 HISTORY OF THE 

three hundred yards, thirty feet more, and then runs back 
a level plain for a long distance. On the rebel side of the 
river the road was bordered on the lower side by a dense 
forest; on the upper side by an open field. On the Union 
side the road to the ferry ran for the last mile through 
open fields. A hundred yards below the ferry and op- 
posite the forest spoken of was the mouth of Snake Creek, 
a stream twenty feet wide and tw^o or three feet deep, 
with precipitous banks. To move down the road to the 
ferry through those open fields in the face of the enemy 
would be almost impossible, as the crossing was defended 
by Jackson's rebel brigade of cavalry, with entrenchments, 
and aided by a battery of artillery under cover. It was 
determined to make the crossing at the mouth of Snake 
Creek, where the deep forest and the line of trees along 
its bank afforded a slight screen to hide our movements. 
In the mean time, however, very vigorous efforts were 
apparently made to force a way to the river along the 
road, in order to attract the enemy's attention from our 
real movements. A line of skirmishers, consisting of the 
66th Illinois was pushed clear to the river, and Welker's 
Battery was stationed in an open field without cover of 
any sort to play against the rebel battery. The pontoon 
trains were then unloaded at the cross roads, a mile from 
the ferry, but the nearest they could be brought without 
being seen by the rebels. The pontoon boats, which con- 
sisted of wooden frames, very light but firm, and covered 
with strong white canvas, w^ere unloaded and put in order. 
Their appearance as defensive vessels of war was any thing 
but satisfactory to the soldiers who anticipated a chance 
of being detailed to cross the river in them. The boys 
called them " canvas ironclads,'' " muslin ships," and other 
names not indicative of implicit trust in their defensive 
qualities. The 7th Iowa regiment was detailed to j)erform 
the laborious task of carrying these boats to the river, or 



EIGUTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS, 



8t 



as near it as practicable. Tlie 81st Ohio and 12th Illinois 
accompanied as a support. About twenty men were 
assigned to each boat. Bearing the boats aloft on their 
shoulders and walking as near the shelter of the trees 
along the banks of Snake Creek as they could, the pro- 
cession started. 

- Meantime it had been discovered that the rebel skirmish 
line extended down the bank of the river below the mouth 
of Snake Creek where we intended to cross, and that it 
would be impossible to carry the boats all the way to the 
river. It was then determined to carry them as flir down 
Snake Creek as possible, and then under cover of the bank 
of that stream launch the boats in it, man them, row down 
to the mouth and boldly strike across the Oostenaula, and 
drive the rebels from the opposite shore. Then, wlien the 
main force at the ferry had been thus flanked and driven 
away, the boats could be towed up to the ferry and the 
bridge made at the desired place. But here a difficulty 
presented itself; Snake Creek was not deep enough to 
float the boats until within a hundred yards of its mouth, 
and there the rebel sharpshooters had full control— the 
artillery and weak line of skirmishers being unavailing to 
drive them off. It was determined to send the 81st Ohio 
and 12th Illinois down to the bank to reinforce the 
skirmishers, and under cover of a vigorous musketry fire 
from these two regiments, the boats were to be rapidly 
launched. As the rebels saw these regiments approaching, 
they redoubled their fire, and as there was a wide open 
field to cross before reaching the river bank, the troops 
were ordered forward double-quick. Catching the inspira- 
tion of a charge, as the soldiers quickened their pace they 
raised their voices, and with a yell that would have done 
credit to a whole tribe of Camanches, the 81st Ohio and 
12th Illinois rushed across the field and dropped behind 
the fence and bushes on the bank of the river ; and such 



88 HISTORY OF THE 

a firing as then ensued! The rebels, with a strong ekir-. 
mish line, were just across the narrow river behind the 
trees, while we, with a skirmish line and a line of battle, 
let loose vollej' after volley at them. The fire was warmly 
returned and their spiteful balls struck thickly among the 
rails and on the ground, while here and there some poor 
fellow was wounded or killed. While this close and deaf- 
ening firing was in progress, the rebels were so much occu- 
pied by it that our boats were safely launched. Still the 
rebels were not to be scared away, and there was nothing 
left but the last dangerous resort of boldly pushing a force 
across and storming the bank. 

Who should cross first? There were not wanting brave 
men who would willingly volunteer for such a duty, but 
volunteers were not called for. Upon whom was this lot 
of danger, and possibly of honor to fall? It was the 
original phm, I believe, to send across the 66th Illinois 
and support them with other troops, but as they had 
already been heavily engaged in skirmishing, and had 
spent much of their ammunition, the order had to be 
changed. One company of the 66th, however, which had 
been in reserve, and two companies of the 81st Ohio, B 
and C, were ordered to embark in the " muslin ships " 
-which had already been launched in Snake Creek. These 
companies had to be divided in embarking, as the boats 
would hold but eighteen or twenty men each. These 
three companies being safely embarked and the rebels 
making but little disturbance, it was determined to fill 
the remaining boats and let them follow closely to assist 
in case of need. But chance at last decided who should 
cross first, for the boats had become somewhat mixed up 
inthe embarking, and when all Avas ready, Lieut. Colonel 
Adams, to whom had been entrusted the delicate duty of 
superintending the first crossing of troops, directed the 
first three boats to move down the stream and cross. The 



EIGHTY -FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 89 

order in which they lay .vhen the order was gi.en, gave 
the advance to Lieut. Geo. W, Dixon, witlx a platoon of 
Co B, 81st Ohio; next was Capt. Hays, with a platoon of 
Co I. C6th Illinois, and third, Capt. W.H. Chamberlm, w,th 
a platoon of Co. C, 81st Ohio. The command of these three 
boats and of the skirmishers when they should land, was 
given to the latter officer. All was at last ready ; the 
detailed instructions to each platoon were given. Before 
those brave men loomed a dark deep forest wh.ch might 
prove to them a magazine of death ! At its edge flowed 
the angry, rapid Oostenaula, perhaps soon to be crimsoned 
by their life-blood. Yet from this possible fate not a man 
shrank, though many a heart stood still a moment and 
many a thought of home and dear ones came up as for a 
last retrospect. 

The order was given for the three boats to proceed. 
Silently the oarsmen from the Pioneer Corps of the Army 
of the Cumberland, who had taken thus the advance of 
that army across the Tennessee at Caperton ferry and 
who rowed Sherman across to assist in the battle ot Chat- 
tanooga, but who had never yet made a crossing in the 
immediate face of the enemy, dipped their long oars into 
the muddy waters of Snake Creek and moved the boats 
toward the river. Not a word is spoken, except a few 
hurried injunctions from the leading oarsmen to the others 
to keep time and pull together. As still as death, the 
white boats, with their living cargoes of blue move on 
down Snake Creek. They have nearly reached the river 
when a startling voice from the rear cries out-"halt! 
The hindmost two of the boats hear the order and stop, 
but the foremost does not, and is already out in the river, 
where to stop or attempt to turn back would be certain 
death ; while to go forward, alone, would be simply to go 
deliberately as prisoners. Shall the gallant little crew be 
abandoned to its fate? There is no way to get it back. 



00 HISTORY OF THE 

and it cannot go on in safety. What shall be done? Col. 
Adams quickly decided to order forward the other two 
boats. Obeying the order without questioning why, they 
sped forward into the river. The first boat was now 
nearly across, the second had reached the middle of the 
stream, but the third, on entering the river had struck on 
a snag ! At this juncture the rebels appeared to have first 
discovered the movement, and plash ! plash ! into the 
water came the balls around the third boat ! Happily it 
was easil}'- got adrift, and bending to their oars right gal- 
lantly, those sturdy oarsmen sped the little boat like a dart 
through that gauntlet of Death ! Almost simultaneously 
with the first three boats came the fourth and fifth, bring- 
ing the remainder of Companies B and 0, 81st Ohio, under 
Lieutenants Miller and Irion. It was the work of but a 
moment to deploy those willing soldiers along the bank, 
and then with a bound and a yell and a volley, to spring 
up the bank and scatter the astonished rebels like sheep. 
In almost as brief a space of time as it takes to write it, the 
gallant little band had captured almost as large a body of 
prisoners, including one captain and two lieutenants. The 
main rebel force on the left at the ferry, finding them- 
selves outflanked by an unknown number of Yankees — 
for they could see nothing of our operations, and could 
only judge by the yelling, which was participated in by 
the rest of the Division — took to flight for safety. Some 
of the fleeter footed of our skirmishers were in time to 
overtake some of them and take them prisoners. Three 
men of Company C, 81st Ohio, John M. Ilenness, Samuel 
T. Wiley, and James E. J. Dill, took eleven rebels pris- 
oners in one squad, including one captain and two lieu- 
tenants. By this time the boats had been busy in bring- 
ing over re-enforcements, consisting of Companies A, E, F 
and H, 81st Ohio, two companies of the 6Gth Illinois, and 
one from the 12th Illinois — all under command of Captain 



EIGHTY-riBST OHIO INFANTEY VOLS. 91 

W H Hill, 81st Ohio, and the little band that had first 
landed felt no farther apprehensions for their safety. Sev- 
eral times the rebels gathered their forces, and attempted 
to make a charge, but our boys bravely met them w>th a 
volley and a cheer, and drove them back. The peril of 
the crossing being passed and complete success crowmng 
he movement so far, it was with a feeling of Wtter disap- 
pointment that the troops received the order about sunset 
to withdraw, and re-cross the river. Soon after sunse the 
troops were all safely across the river, and so demoralized 
and frightened were the enemy that they did not discover 
our wifhdrawal in time to fire a shot at us. Thus ended 
the first passage of the Oostenaula by Sherman s army. 
It will afford but little consolation to the brave men whe 
participated in it, or to the friends of those whose blood dyed 
that river, to know that a delay of one minute in starting 
the first boat would have been sufiicient to have prevented 
the crossing of any of them. Gen. McPherson had received 
information that a large rebel force was crossing at CaU 
houn ferry between us and the mam army, for the evident 
purpose of cutting off Gen. Sweeney's Division. He im- 
mediately dispatched a courier to Gen. Sweeney, te ling 
him to delay the crossing until the truth or falsity of he 
rumor could be ascertained. This courier arrived and the 
order to cross was countermanded just too late to be heard 
by the first boat, as ahove stated, and then the remaining 
boats crossed merely to save the crew «f th^* one. The 
rumor about the enemy crossing proved false, but it was 
not ascertained in time to lay the pontoons that night, and 
hence the troops were withdrawn. 

The crossing was not effected without loss In the 
fourth boat that crossed. Sergeant Crothers and Private 
John M. Wilev, 81st Ohio, and one of the oarsmen, were 
instantly killed. Sergeant Baird, 81st Ohio, had captured 
three rebels, and was just marching them off, when a rebel 



92 HISTORY OF THE , 

officer appeared and threatened to shoot them if they did! le' 
not seize their guns and fire on Baird; they obeyed and I 
shot him, severely wounding him about the head and i 
leaving him for dead. A number of others were wounded, 
and one, Private David Y. Lyttle, was captured, having, 
in his eagerness to capture prisoners, ventured too far 
forward. 

During this day and night, while these operations were 
in progress, on the extreme right, the main part of Sher- 
man's army was engaged heavily at and around Eesaca. 
Far into the night, the sullen boom of the cannon and the 
rattle of musketry told of the fierce conflict in progress 
there. Saturday morning brought the news of the evacu- 
ation of Eesaca, and the retreat of Johnston's whole army 
southward. Oh! then for the pontoon bridge which ?m^/i< 
have been laid at Lay's Ferry the previous day. Such a 
staggering blow as could be directed against the retreating 
enemy from this road ! But as the bridge was not already 
there, the next best thing was to put it there as quickly as 
possible, and General Sweeney's command again undertook 
it. This time the rebels seemed less determined, and a 
strong demonstration being made against them they fled 
from the river bank and allowed the peaceable laying of the 
bridge at Lay's Ferry, just where it was wanted. As soon 
as it was in a condition to bear footmen, the infantry of 
the first brigade crossed and took position along the river 
bank on the right. The second followed and formed on 
the left of the road along the bank. For some reason, the 
forwarding of more troops seemed delayed, as was the 
preparation of the bridge. No artillery crossed on that 
day, and no advance by the infantry was made. A skir- 
mish line was thrown forward, which soon discovered a 
rebel force in position. In fact we could see their skir- 
mishers in the farther edge of the field. In the evening, 
as soon as our skirmishers made a slight advance, the 



EIGHTY-riRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 93 

•ebels essayed a charge, and did emerge from the woods 
,n good line with guns at a right shoulder shift. On they 
-'ame with nothing apparently to oppose them but the 
thin line of skirmishers, for they could not see the troops 
of the first brigade which had been thrown forward behind 
a slight elevation on the right of the road. Suddenly 
their easy progress was arrested by our remorseless shell 
thrown from Welker's battery with unerring certainty, 
from the other side of the river, and bursting with terrible 
effect plump among them. Almost at the same time a 
blinding volley from our infantry, behind the elevation, 
came into their faces. Their line halted in sheer conster- 
nation-then wavered— rallied and fired a weak volley- 
wavered again, and then melted away, leaving traces of 
its position in the blood of the wounded and the bodies of 
the slain. So plainly in sight of the second brigade was 
this little battle, that although out of ordinary range, the 
bovs could not resist having a " pop" at them. The rebel 
lines were near enough for some of their balls to reach us. 
One man of the 66th Illinois was killed here, and Color- 
Sergeant, John A. Wilson, 81st Ohio, received a painful 
wound while defiantly waving his flag at the enemy. 



94 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER X. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM LAY's FERRY TO BIG SHANTY. 

That night the Second Division lay at the Ferry, and 
after night threw up defensive works — a precaution which 
proved entirely unnecessary^. The next day the remaining 
portion of the corps was ordered up, and the bridge being 
completed, the artillerj^ was crossed over, and at 10 
o'clock General Sweeney's Division again started forward. 
At the distance of a mile or two we came upon a strong 
defensive position of the rebels which was abandoned, 
showing that retreat was in progress. About one o'clock, 
our skirmishers became engaged with the rebels, and it 
was soon ascertained that Cleburne's and Walker's divis- 
ions of the rebel army were posted there to protect a 
wagon train which was passing along a road beyond one 
known as the Rome road. General Dodge arrived about 
this time and gave personal attention to the disposition of 
the troops. Without knowing anything definitely of the 
enemy's strength or position save what was gathered from 
the fact that his skirmish line was very long, it was im- 
possible to make a close formation with a single Division. 
The 4th Division had not yet come up. General Dodge 
placed the first brigade on the left of the road, facing 
eastwardly. Then with an interval between, the third 
brigade was placed on the right of the first, facing to the 
north-east, while still farther to the right and facing north, 
was the second brigade. Our long line of skirmishers was 
continually engaged, especially on the right. General 
McPherson himself rode along the lines, and as the rebel 
troops were too strong for this one Division, and as the 
remainder of the 16th Corps, followed by the 15th Corps, 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 95 

were coming up, as rapidly as possible, he ordered that 
the enemy should not be pressed. Two hours of skirmish- 
ing ensued, when our boys on the right of the line, be- 
coming impatient, and being under command of the rest- 
less Captain G-eorge A. Taylor, 66th Illinois, advanced 
slightly, and drove the rebel skirmishers from their posi- 
tion, beyond the Kome road. Captain Taylor, on reaching 
this road, and seeing a party of rebels fleeing down it, took 
a few men with him and started in pursuit. Keckless of 
life, he followed, until suddenly a volley from a party in 
ambush burst upon him, and he fell, dead — shot through 
the brain. The death of Captain Taylor had such a dis- 
heartening effect on his men that they began to yield, 
gradually, the ground they had gained. Almost the entire 
regiment of sharpshooters, (66th Illinois) was deployed as 
skirmishers, and three companies of the 81st Ohio, under 
Captain Hill, were sent out to support them. Holding 
the rebels with this long line, and waiting for the 4th 
Division to come up, the time was passing, while but little 
progress was made. Perceiving that we did not attack, 
and perhaps thinking we were weak, the enemy began to 
press our lines. Stronger and stronger became the firing 
on the right, until it was evident that their attack would 
be at that place. 

Colonel Burke, our brigade commander, went forward 
to learn as well as possible the nature of the ground and 
the position of the enemy. It was almost all a dense forest 
filled thickly with a dense undergrowth of pine, and it was 
impossible to ascertain anything except *by hearing. Both 
General McPherson and General Dodge now appeared at 
the right and the former directed that the right should be 
refused a little. Although 'the enemy was hidden from 
view, and the balls were thickly striking among the trees, 
General Dodge rode forward to the advanced line and 
gave directions in person as to its position. The attack 



96 HISTORY OF THE 

was coming directly on the right flank of the second 
brigade, and its regiments were disposed thus : the 66th 
Illinois was scattered along a mile of skirmish line. The 
81st Ohio was divided into three battalions, each separated 
some distance from the others. The 12th Illinois on the 
left of the 81st was almost intact — one or two companies 
perhaps on the skirmish line. To meet the exigency of a 
charge on the flank, the battalion of the 81st Ohio, under 
Major Evans, was ordered to change front so as to face to 
the east toward the Eome road. Hardly was this accom- 
plished until the rebels, pressing in the skirmishers, began 
the attack on the two right battalions of the 81st Ohio, un- 
der Lieutenant-Colonel Adams and Captain Hill. The 
latter being on the extreme right was soon enveloped by 
the enemy, and compelled to fall back and join Colonel 
Adams' battalion. The 12th Illinois was now hurried 
forward and to the right, to fill the gap between Major 
Evans' battalion and the others of the 81st Ohio. About 
this time, Major Evans, who had been ordered to hold that 
valley until further orders, perceived a line of rebels bear- 
ing down upon him. Relying on the tried gallantry of 
his command, without stopping to think how many were 
in his front, he ordered a charge. With a resounding 
cheer the men rose, and, as one man, moved resistlessly 
forward over logs and through thick pine brush, stopping 
for no obstacles. Yolley after volley they sent, too, rat- 
tling through the trees among the rebel ranks, as the line 
kept advancing. By this time, too, the 12th on the right 
came up, and it, with the remaining battalions of the 81st, 
still farther on the right, sent so many balls through those 
almost impenetrable woods, and raised such unearthly 
shouts, that the rebel hearts failed, and they ignobl}^ fled. 
The brigade carried the pursuit some distance, so far, 
indeed, that a part of Major Evans' battalion found an 
enemy immediately on its left flank, and quickly changing 



EIGHTy-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 97 

front, and having advantage of position, drove tlieni from 
the field. 

In the mean time, the third brigade was menaced. One 
of its batteries being in a somewhat advanced position, 
was coveted by some sharp-shooters who attempted to 
capture it. A vigorous shelling was given also to that 
part of the line, some of the shells bursting far in our rear, 
and raising an incipient panic among some casual teams, 
ambulances and caissons passing along the road, but no 
serious attack was made except on the second brigade. 

As it was now late, and the 4th Division had come up, 
it was determined to withdraw the Second Division and 
relieve it with the fourth. The withdrawal was done 
easily, as from subsequent events we may infer that the 
enemy was quite anxious to give us no trouble as long as 
we did not molest him. In fact the attack was only made 
to cover a hasty movement in retreat of their wagon trains, 
and there was no disposition to take the offensive. They 
were perfectly satisfied to be let alone, as they were, from 
nearly sunset. This may account for their feeble defense, 
and the consequent small loss inflicted on our troops, which 
did not exceed seventy-five. 

Colonel P. E. Burke, of the 66th Illinois, was here 
wounded, and, in consequence, soon after lost his life. He 
was in the front from the beginning. Early in the en- 
gagement a ball struck his left leg below the knee and 
shattered the bone. He rode up to Lieutenant-Colonel 
Adams, and quietly remarking that he was wounded, turned 
over the command of the brigade to that ofiicer, and rode 
away. His leg was amputated and he was started north 
to recover, but gangrene supervening, his death ensued 
before he could leave Georgia. 

During the short time that he had commanded the 
brigade he had endeared himself to his entire command 
by his gentlemanly courtesy and uniform kindness. By 
8 



98 HISTORY OF THE 

his gallant bearing in the field, every soldier was con- 
strained to repose the fullest confidence in his bravery, 
and his death was deeply and sincerely lamented by his 
command. Lieutenant-Colonel Adams succeeded to the 
command of the brigade, and Major Evans had command 
of the 81st Ohio. 

This engagement, fought on the 16th of May, 1864, was 
known as the battle of Eome Cross Koads. 

The next three days witnessed the grand beginning of 
the great race southward of the two armies. I say the 
beginning, for although Sherman halted purposely at 
Ivingston, to replenish his stock of supplies, he did not 
again come in determined contact with the enemy until 
he found him at Dallas. Late on the evening of the 17th 
of May, the 16th Corps started forward in the direction of 
the enemy, southward. The whole army, indeed, was 
also in motion. By various roads the interminable lines 
of blue, dotted with the almost numberless white-covered 
army Avagons, were moving almost without cessation night 
and day toward an enemy. Before noon of the 19th, the 
advance of General Sherman's army entered Kingston, 
driving out the rebel rear-guard. On the 18th, eleven 
engines and trains, under Confederate control, lay there, 
and late in the evening moved south with the army. Be- 
fore daj^light of the 20th, a Yankee engineer sounded the 
whistle that heralded the approach of the first engine un- 
der Federi^l direr-tion. As the roar of the whistle re- 
echoed through those mountains, it received a gladsome 
welcome in the answering shouts of the thousands of troops 
who literally swarmed all over the ground. The boys 
often facetiously remarked, in view of the close following 
up of the rebels by our railroad trains, that General John- 
ston traveled on a train ji^st in advance of General Sher- 
man, and that the formev l^ept his train flagged to keep 
Sherman from rqnning into hini! Through the entreaties 



EIGHTY- FIRST <rHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 99 

of Governor Brown, who was anxious to save the property 
of the State, the Confederates did very little damage to the 
road, as they retreated, and G-eneral Sherman could thus 
keep his trains up with his army. 

The 81st Ohio had three good days of rest on a green 
grassy hill-side, at Kingston, while a portion of the army 
advanced a few miles and skirmished with the enemy. 
During these three days. General Sherman's untiring en- 
ergy, infused into his subordinates, had brought forward 
twenty days' supplies for the entire army, and he was 
ready again to assume the defensive. 

While we %ere lying at Kingston, Colonel Mersey, 9th 
Illinois, returned, and, by virtue of seniority, took com- 
mand of the brigade — Colonel Adams returning to the 
command of the 81st Ohio. 

The enemy had halted at the Etowah river, and, on the 
19th, Gen. Johnston had issued a battle order to his troops, 
announcing that he would now turn and lead them against 
the foe, and exhorting them to acquit themselves valiantly. 
Prisoners afterward taken said that the order was scarcely 
read to some of the regiments until the inevitable order 
to fall back came, and the enemy crossed the river. Here, 
then, was not only the river in their front, but the Alla- 
toona Pass was in their possession — an admirable defensive 
position. To dislodge them, General Sherman again de- 
termined on a flank movement, and again he ordered 
McPherson to the right, to lead the flanking force. This 
time it fell to the lot of the 81st Ohio to form a part of the 
rear of the column, on the starting out. They were to 
follow after the wagon trains. Never, perhaps, did they 
have so unpleasant a verification of the adage that " large 
bodies move slowly," as on the present occasion. Early 
in the morning of the 23d, orders were given to be ready 
to march at a moment's notice, but the morning wore away 
and left the troops Ij'ing as the sunrise had found them. 



100 HISTORY OF THE 

At noon tlie glad sound of " fall in " was heard, for every 
soldier dreaded the prospect of a night march, which was 
sure to come if they did not start soon. Still the great 
parks of wagons were slowly winding out into the roads, 
and the troops had to halt very soon after starting. It 
seemed as if the last wagon would 'never come. Sadly 
enough the troops saw the sun declining, and knew they 
were doomed to a night march— a thing more perplexing 
and troublesome than almost anything else a soldier had 
to undergo. It was actually sunset when the last of the 
troops left Kingston, and a night march, of course, fol- 
lowed. Tired with the whole day's tedious waiting, and 
then, to follow a long wagon train, after night, was the 
acme of a soldier's misery. There is nothing more trying 
to the patience than marching after a wagon train. Mov- 
ing forward ten feet, perhaps, there is an unexplained halt 
of two minutes, then another forward, double-quick, for a 
hundred yards, then a halt of half an hour, and so on, 
with variations as to time and distance, until the most pa- 
tient heartily wishes there was no such thing as a mule, 
or a wheel, connected with the army. Plunging into gut- 
ters, tumbling over stumps and stones, running eyes plump 
against the muzzle of the gun of a careless file-leader, get- 
ting notice to halt only by blundering against the man in 
advance, and being in turn blundered against by the man 
behind ; covered, enveloped, penetrated, body and clothes, 
with the dirty, gray mist of dust, two inches deep on the 
ground, is it any wonder that the soldiers dreaded a night 
march? But this was the lot of the 81st Ohio that night. 
At midnight they got into camp, and soon forgot all their 
discomforts in sleep, such as only the soldier can appreciate. 
On the 24th, McPherson's command encamped at Van 
Wert, a little village some twenty miles south-west of 
Kingston, and apparently far removed from all military 
operations. From Van Wert the line of march was changed 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANIRY VOLS. 101 

toward Dallas, which place was entered, after slight skir- 
mishing, simultaneously by McPherson's force and by 
General Jeff. 0. Davis' division of the 14th Corps. That 
night, as some of the troops were going into bivouac, they 
were fired into, and the next morning it was a matter ol 
some surprise to many to find that the rebel army was 
lying close in our front, and that a great battle might be 
fought that day. But either the rebels were themselves 
too weak, or were unadvised of our lengthened hne, and 
they did not press their advantage. Accordingly the 27th 
was occupied in stretching out our troops in the most de- 
fensible positions, and, at the same time, pressing the 
enemy as much as possible. The 81st Ohio was called out 
to form a part of the skirmish line, but, in the course of 
the movement, it was crowded out, and remained m re- 
serve The day's work was one of the most severe and 
extended skirmishes we had then known. At night our 
troops had gained some good positions, and fortifications 
were hastily thrown up. The 15th Corps was on the right 
of the 14th, and formed the extreme right of the army 
On the left of the 16th was Davis' division of the 14tli 
Corps ; then a gap, and then the Army of the Cumberland 
and of the Ohio. 

All day of the 28th there was heavy skirmishing. The 
rattling musketry, and occasional hoarse notes of the ar- 
tillery, betokened enough of battle to keep a slow proces- 
sion of ambulances passing between the front and the hos- 
pitals to convey the wounded. Toward evening an unu- 
sual activity appeared among the rebels in front of tren- 
eral Logan's right. A storm was coming, where should it 
break? The attempt to turn Logan's flank was only a 
ruse Minor attacks were made all alwig the line of the 
15th Corps, but the main efl-ort was to be made against 
General Dodge's command. Bates' Division of Hardee s 
Corps was hurled against Sweeney's Division, which, at 



102 HISTORY OF THE 

that time, presented a front of two regiments and one por- 
tion of a battery. The immortal 2d Iowa, and the younger, 
but not less gallant, 66th Indiana, with two sections of 
(Japtain Welker's Battery, (H, 1st Missouri Light Artil- 
lery,) met the shock of the charge. Fierce and hot was 
the contest — brave men were pitted against brave — but it 
was impossible to advance before the withering fire of that 
gallant line of Colonel Rice's brigade. In half an hour 
from the time the first volley was fired, the shout of vic- 
tory rang on the evening air, and was taken up by regi- 
ment after regiment, until the woods was vocal with re- 
joicings. So determined were the rebels in the assaulting 
columns, that several actually forced themselves over our 
works, where they were at once captured. The Kentucky 
troops formed a part of the assaulting column. The loss 
of the 66th Illinois and the 2d Iowa was very slight, but 
sixty -three dead rebels were counted in our front the next 
day. 

On the morning of the 29th, Colonel Mersey's brigade 
relieved Colonel Rice's, and the 81st Ohio had a taste of 
what it was to man those works. Company B was sent 
out on the skirmish line, and private James Anderson, of 
Company D, being desirous to have an adventure, volun- 
teered to go also. He was permitted to go, but in an hour 
his dead body was borne back. All day the heavy skir- 
mishing was kept up. The lines were so close that the 
troops behind the works were compelled to keep down, or 
have a rebel bullet in unpleasant proximity to their ears. 
Indeed the balls went as far back as the headquarters of 
Generals Dodge and Sweeney. 

It appears that Greneral McPherson had marched too 
rapidly, and had got too far to the right, in taking this 
position at Dallas, and it was necessary to draw him far- 
ther to the left, so as to join more closely to the rest of the 
army. Orders had been issued on the 28th of May for 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 103 

him to withdraw a few miles toward his left, but this at- 
tack bj the enemy caused the order to be countermanded. 
It was again issued on the 29th. All the teams had moved 
during the afternoon and evening, (except advance wagons) 
and, at dark, the reserve artillery began moving. After 
it the artillery and infantry from the extreme right were 
to silently move off, continuing the movement toward the 
left, only leaving the skirmish line on duty, which was to 
follow at day-light. 

The movement was in progress. The loud rattle of the 
rtillery certainly could be heard in the rebel camps on 
that clear still night. At about eleven o'clock at night, 
when some of us were listening to the dull booming of 
Hooker's cannon, away to the left, the bright flash of a 
musket to the right, and in front of our line, told of ap- 
proaching danger. Almost instantly the whole picket line, 
in front of Mersey's brigade, was ablaze and retiring. 
The sound of their guns awakened the men who were 
sleeping in the trenches. Scarcely had the retiring pickets 
reached the works until every man in the long sinuous 
line, which a moment before seemed wrapped in slumber, 
was up to his place. *' What is it ?" was hurriedly asked, 
as the pickets clambered over the works. " The enemy — 
a charge !" was the whispered reply, and in an instant the 
81st Ohio and the 12th Illinois poured a volley of death 
into the advancing column. An irregular line of flashes 
among the trees, and a legion of mad bullets whizzing 
over our heads, was the reply. A section of Welker's 
battery, on the left of the 81st Ohio, now lit up the 
whole scene with its vivid breath of flame, while its 
reports shook the earth. It was such a scene as few of 
us will ever see again. The firing of the infantry became 
constant, but irregular, after the first volley, while to its 
timid and sinuous line of light was added, every moment, 
the glare of one or more of Welker's guns, which seemed 



104 HISTORY OF THE 

to be discharging their death missiles without cessation. 
That grand old forest at the romantic hour of midnight, 
never before resounded to such unearthly din. The sul- 
phurous smoke from the guns seemed to hang about the 
earthj so that the darkness was changed to gray, in which 
the dark figures of the men became visible — a sort of 
demon-looking set, engaged in a ghastly play with death ! 
There was too much of death in it to be long continued by 
the rebels, and they fell back — exactly when, we could not 
tell, for once started, some of the boys could not be induced 
to cease firing. However, there was a silence at last, but 
of brief duration, for on our right was a clash and clatter 
heard, where the rebels assayed to break the lines of the 
15th Corps. Maddened, as it were, they again burst upon 
Mersey's line, to be again driven back. Again, and again, 
at different points, they made efforts, until by three A. M., 
there had been seven distinct assaults uj^Jon our lines. 

The loss was mostly on the part of the enemy, they hav- 
ing all the disadvantage of making the attack at a time 
when it was impossible to see their object, or to keep their 
troops in order. The testimony of a rebel prisoner, cap- 
tured a day or two afterward, was, that Bates' Division 
was cut to pieces in that attack, which, he said, was made 
by a misunderstanding of orders. 

During the course of the first firing, some of the more 
excitable men managed to lose in part, and shoot away in 
part, their ammunition, until, in five or ten minutes, their 
cartridge-boxes were exhausted, and they began to call 
lustily for ammunition. Unfortunately, in consequence of 
the movement which was in progress, almost all the am- . 
munition wagons were gone, and quite all were gone from 
the front line. In this emergency red tape was cut effect- 
ually. Failing to find the i^roper ordnance officer, in the 
melee, which would have been almost impossible, General 
Dodge hailed the first wagons he saw containing ordnance, 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 105 

only satisfying himself that they contained the proper 
caliber, and, although they belonged to another Corps, he 
ordered them unloaded at once. Seizing a box of canister 
himself, and placing it before him on his horse, the Gen- 
eral started to the front, and in this useful style presented 
himself to the astonished gunners of Welker's battery. 
By the efforts of staff officers, a full supply of ammunition 
was soon, almost miraculously at h^ind, and all apprehen- 
sions on this score were set at rest. 

From three o'clock we had undisturbed rest, and some 
time before noon of the 30th, the 81st and 12th were re- 
lieved, and allowed to enjoy a slight respite at a point in 
the safe distance. So, sleeping and resting, the remainder 
of the 30th was spent, while the proposed movement was 
held in abeyance, and the rebels were non-plussed by our 
unbroken front. Their attack on the night of the 29th 
had evidently been made Avith a view to pierce our lines 
while we were moving, and, taking advantage of the con- 
fusion which they supposed would follow, they hoped to 
do us much mischief. The only fault was, that their at- 
tack was made too soon. An hour or two later, we might 
have been in motion, and the result might have been quite 
different. As it was, General McPherson found it no easy 
matter to let go his hold on the rebel tiger which he had 
so easily caught. Still he was patient. All day of the 
30th his lines doggedly held their ground. 

The 31st of May was a repetition of the 30th, except that 
little demonstrations were made, here and there, against the 
enemy, for effect. One of these occurred in General Swee- 
ney's Division. That officer was ordered by General Dodge 
to make a reconnoisance in his front, to ascertain if the en- 
emy was still in force there ; but he was in no wise to 
make an assault, as he would be unsupported by either the 
forces on his right or left. But, being, perhaps, ambitious 
to do something brilliant. General Sweeney ordered Col- 
9 



106 HISTORY OF THE 

onel Mersey to take liis Brigade and make an assault on 
the enemy's works. The order was obeyed, and partly 
carried out, when General Dodge arrived on the field and 
ordered the Brigade withdrawn. The 66th Illinois, in this I 
movement, formed the skirmish line, and lost a number in 
killed and wounded. By good luck, the 81st Ohio met 
with no loss, although it crossed the works in line of battle. 
Even if the assault had been made, and had been success- 
ful, there was not the least good that could have accrued 
from it, for of what avail would it have been to break a 
few hundred yards of a line, miles in length, by a little 
detached force, acting without the co-operation, or even 
the knowledge, of the rest of the army. It would have 
been but an empty honor at the best. 

That night the regiment, with the rest of the Brigade, 
received marching orders soon after dark, and moved, 
about ten o'clock, toward the left. It was nearly daylight 
when the wearied troops arrived at their destination, and 
found that the Brigade was to relieve a portion of General 
Davis' Division, which had already vacated the works and 
moved farther to the left, to join the rest of the Corps. The 
12th Illinois was sent out to the picket line, said to be a 
mile distant, while the 81st Ohio, and the 66th Illinois 
were thinly scattered along a long line of earthworks. It 
was no permanent occupation, but was only done to make 
a show of front, while the rest of McPherson's command 
was moved farther to the left. Foiled in all his previous 
attempts at withdrawal, he attempted it again on the night 
of the 31st of May, and, by good fortune, succeeded in 
making the movement, unmolested, during the night. It 
was nearly noon before the rebels discovered the move- 
ment, and entered the town of Dallas, which had been 
in rear of our lines. At this time. Colonel Mersey's Bri- 
gade, stretched out thus in single file, was the extremei 
right of our army — the rest having moved to the new po- 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 107 

sition assigned, some two or three miles from tl.at recently 
occupied. With no cavalry to wateh his flank and reax, 
Colonel Mersey quietly awaited orders for his own with- 
drawal, while, without his knowledge, the rebel cavalrj 
were advancing through Dallas, and down in ^^^reai-^ At 
the same time, the enemy's infantry could be «een, feeling 
its way toward his flank, and pressing on toward his front 
The first intimation he had of the presence of the enemy 
in his rear, was given in the report of carbines at a veiy 
short distance. Sending out an additional ^ho t l.ne^of 
skirmishers on the right flank, which soon became warm y 
engaged with the enemy's skirmishers Colonel Meisy 
bent back his right, until what remainea of the 66th Illi- 
nois ami Sl^t Ohio formed a line- of battle, facing towax^ 
ZX all the points of the compass. The Colonel knew 
now that he was entirely isolated fo- the army , and that h 
was almost entirely surrounded, but he determined to stay 
h're and fight it out, until he should receive orders to 
Ithdraw, or be defeated and captured. At ^^.^t^l 
little handful of men seemed ust on the point oi being 
r sformed into a mouthful for the ^^1-";;^;^ 
Confederate maw, the order to withdraw came, and max ch 

ing the 12th Illinois as skirmishers on his (P^'^\\'^^\ll 
dextrously withdrew his little command without loss, and 
received the congratulations of his superior <'^'^'', 

Before nightfall, the entire command of general MP e- 
son had buitt substantial earthworks, and -s ed fi^mth u 
labors, out of hearing of the incessant sound «f tl^e skii- 
misber's gun. The next day or two was spent m stiength- 
eningour works, and in rest. The enemy seemed non- 
plussed. We could see evident signs of a hurried move- 
ment toward their right. This movement ot General Mc- 
" Pherson's army betokened some danger in that direction 
General Sherman had, by moving to this position at Da - 
las, already drawn most of the enemy away from the rail- 



108 HISTORY OF THE 

road and the strong position at Allatoona. It only re- 
mained for him to quietly march his army back to that 
point, and possess it. This was the next movement. On 
the 5tli and 6th of June, the march to Acworth on the 
railroad, several miles south of Allatoona, was made. 
Here, the main portion of the army had another rest of 
several days, during which McPherson's command was re- 
inforced by the arrival of the 17th Corps. While a show 
of attack was kept up, Sherman rested his army, and re- 
building the railroad bridge over the Etowah Eiver, soon 
had the " cracker line," as the soldiers familiarly called it, 
re-established. Clothing and abundant supplies were is- 
sued, and on the 10th of June the Army of the Tennessee 
moved down the railroad as far as Big Shanty. 

Here we came in sight of the inevitable enemy again, 
intrenched, in front of Kennesaw Mountain. From the 
10th till the 15th of June, the 81st did nothing but lie in 
bivouac. The Army of the Tennessee was engaged in this 
time in slowly forming its line closer and closer upon the 
enemy's works. It now formed the extreme left of the 
whole army. The wet weather made approaches difficult, 
but on the 15th the lines were advanced about two miles 
south of Big Shanty, and the rebel works, built about a 
mile in front of Kennesaw Mountain, were close in the 
Union front. During this approach, and after its comple- 
tion, there was a repetition of the same endless skirmish 
firing, which had been the rule at Dallas, varied, occasion- 
ally, by a heavy cannonade, and, now and then, a short, 
sharp contest, where volleys of musketry told of a little 
charge. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 109 



CHAPTEE XL 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN FROM BIG SHANTY TO KENNESAW 

MOUNTAIN. 

Keniiesaw Mountain, though a detached, abrupt eleva- 
tion, of not more than a half mile in length, and aj^pa- 
rently indefensible, proved to be one of the most formida- 
ble natural barriers we had to contend with. It was suffi- 
ciently near to Lost Mountain to make it possible, with 
the large army the rebels had, to continue the line across 
the low countr}^ between, and thus take advantage of both 
elevations. While Kennesaw formed the rebel right, Lost 
Mountain formed the left. The chief advantage gained 
by the possession of Xennesaw was not so much on ac- 
count of its inapproachable, perpendicular sides, but by 
its being the best watch-tower ever possessed by an army. 
Before the eye of the rebel signal officer, on the highest 
point of Kennesaw, Sherman's army lay fully exposed. 
Not a movement of a regiment in daylight that could not 
be detected and due notice given. And, if changes were 
made during the cover of darkness, the succeeding day 
discovered them all to that all-seeing eye. 

The rebel line, as before stated, was first fixed about a 
mile in front of Kennesaw, on some high grounds that ran 
along parallel with that mountain. On the 15th, the 81st 
Ohio moved out of bivouac, for the purpose of supporting 
a portion of the Corps which was making an advance. 
The regiment did not, however, go into action. The move- 
ment of the day resulted successfully to the Union army — 
a large number of prisoners being captured. General 
Veatch's Division, in this movement, formed the advance 
of the 16ih, Corps, Colonel Sprague's Brigade forming the 



110 HISTORY OF THE 

advance of the Division. Tiieir skirmishers, on the 15th, 
were obliged to move through an open field on the enemy's 
works. I say works, because the rebel skirmishers had 
made quite strong defenses, by throwing together, with 
close intervals, piles of rails, and covering them with earth. 
During the night following this advance, our pioneers 
and pickets worked almost together. The pioneers, with 
pick and shovel, silently throwing out the loose red earth, 
to form defenses, while the pickets protected them in their 
labor. The supporting lines also threw up earthworks in 
the rear, close behind the advanced lines. An almost level 
valley, half a mile in width, and extending indefinitely in 
length, contained all of the 15th and 16th Corps. On the 
southern side of the valley, just on the border of the 
woods, in plain view of all the supporting troops, our 
picket line was established. In the morning our pickets 
discovered the rebel picket line intrenched from fifty to 
two hundred yards in their front. In this position our 
lines remained until the 19th of June. All day the pickets' 
guns were continually popping, the artillery was trying- 
its power, while the reserves were kept closely to arms, 
ready for any emergency. The rebels were exceedingly 
careful of their artillery ammunition. It was even amus- 
ing, tragical as it must have been, to witness the firing of 
the rebel artillery, and our own. There were one or two 
rebel batteries situated on a blufl:' bank, in front of the 
15th Corps, and in plain view of the 81st Ohio. Now and 
then we could see the curling, white smoke from one of 
their guns, and could hear the hearty cheer with which 
Loo"an's war-worn heroes ii^reeted the sound of the rebel 
shell, flying over their heads. Our own artillery was gen- 
erallv silent until the rebels had ventured two or three shots, 
and then, having thrown them off their guard somewhat, 
a whole battery of Logan's Parrotts would hurl its hissing 
shell plump into the rebel battery, effectually silencing 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANlllY VOLS. Ill 

them for the next hour or more. On our right, in front 
of the 14th Corps, during these daj^s, there vfas a very 
lively cannonading, out of our sight, but in hearing. One 
battery in that Corps, which we only knew by the sobri- 
quet of '' old leather breeches," used to bring a cheer from 
the whole Union line by its odd mode of firing. All its 
guns were charged at once, and each one was properly 
sighted, and then, at a given signal, they were discharged 
so nearly together that it was almost impossible to tell 
whether it was the report of one great gnu or six ordinary 
ones. 

While the armies lay in this position there was but little 
opportunity for any thing like rest, even to those not im- 
mediately in the front, or on duty. The reserves were so 
near the enemy's skirmish line, that frequcntl}^ their balls 
fell behind our defenses, and the only safety was in lying 
close behind the works. Even then, it was almost impos- 
sible to get a whole night's rest, for, every few hours, a 
violent skirmish firing somewhere along the line, would 
suggest another night attack, and, without vraiting for the 
formality of a command, the whole line of reserves would 
tumble out of their bivouac beds, and, fully armed and 
equipped, would almost intuitiveh' take their places at the 
works, and wait until the excitement subsided. JSTor could 
they ever become so accustomed to these little half alarms, 
so as to become careless. Semper 'paratus was the practical 
watchword of each soldier. 

The men were virtually imprisoned behind their own 
defenses, and the only relief which the^^ had was at night, 
when a new " relief" went on dutj^, and were disposed to 
make their night's work as agreeable as possible. This 
was done by some one calling out — " Say, Johnny reb., 
don't you want to rest awhile? We'll not shoot if you 
wont." The terms were usually gladly accepted, and a 
temporary truce was thus established. The fact that these 



112 HISTORY OF THE 

arrangements were always made by the men, and not by the 
officers, made it certain that no advantage would be taken 
to change position, or any thing of that kind, during the 
continuance of the truce. The truth was, that both armies 
were so tired out by the continual excitement of alarms, 
that men were willing to get what rest they could in any 
way. After a few moments of quiet, natural inquisi- 
tiveness, or a love of adventure, would lead some one to 
propound some question to the opposite party, in general. 
AVhoever could first answer, or whoever chose, could be 
the spokesman of his side. In this way amusing conver- 
sations were often carried on, always in the best spirit. 
One night, in front of the 15th Corps, during one of these 
truces, a general conversation had taken place, and the 
men of both sides had advanced in front of their respec- 
tive lines, disarmed, of course, until they were nearly to- 
gether. Attracted by the novelty of the sight, great num- 
bers of troops from the main line had also gone out to see 
tlio fun. Some one of the rebels asked for a song, and a 
choir of singers among our soldiers responded in clear, 
manly tones, under the soft moonlight, with the suggestive 
air of "Just before the battle. Mother." When this 
was ended, the rebels cheered heartily in applause, and 
declared that the new song was an excellent one. They 
then returned the compliment by singing one for us, 
which our boys, in turn applauded. Then a proposition 
to exchange papers was made, and was carried into eflPect, 
but just as the parties who had met half way, had separ- 
ated, some one, rebel or Union, we could not tell, who was 
away to the right, and who knew nothing of the arrange- 
ment, fired. Instantly, at the same place, a picket volley 
answered, and the trucers, each supposing that the oppo- 
site party was getting treacherous, took to their heels and 
gained their respective works, inwardly execrating the 
vrrctch who broke the truce by firing the unlucky shot. 



EIGHTY FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 113 

True to their word, not a shot was fired along the neutral 
portion of the line until every man of both sides had got 
safely behind the defenses. But then, the men who, but a 
minute before, had engaged in friendly conversation and 
song, began their work of death again ; threw off the 
white robe of Peace, and assumed the red mantle of War. 
This was the history of almost every night of these four 
or five days, of what may be characterized as the siege of 
the approaches to Kennesaw Mountain. The 81st Ohio 
took but a passive part, until midnight of the 16th, w^hen 
it moved to the support of Colonel Sprague's Brigade, 
whose widening front left it bare of reserves. Although 
the distance to march that night was scarcely more than 
a mile, yet the remainder of the night was spent on the 
way, through some blunder of somebody — that mysterious 
person who never can be named or known in military af- 
fairs. The next day one battalion of the regiment moved 
to the front, and built intrenchments near where the rail- 
road passed through our lines. That portion of the regi- 
ment remained there until the 19th. Before daylight of the 
19th, the remaining battalion went out on duty on the picket 
line in front of Colonel Sprague's Brigade. The relieving 
was done with the utmost care, as the rebel line was but a 
hundred yards or so in front of the Union intrenchments, 
and to expose the person above theworks,was to devote that 
soldier to almost certain death. As daylight came on, the 
rebel skirmish fire seemed to be wanting. Was it a cruel ruse 
to get our men to raise their heads and receive a fatal shot? 
Yankee inquisitiveness was not to be suppressed by this 
possibility. Here and there some soldier ventured toward 
the rebel defenses, and found them deserted. It took an 
hour or two to report this fixct, and receive orders, but at 
the end of that time the whole skirmish line advanced 
cautiously. General Sherman, with his usual nervous style, 
telegraphed the War Department that the rebels had re- 



114 HISTORY OF THE 

treated, and he was going to start in a few minutes for 
Marietta. It is said that he gave orders for one or two 
trains to move into Marietta. 

The skirmishers of the 16th Corps, resting their right 
on the railroad, advanced. After passing the enemy's 
works there was, in front, an almost unbroken forest. 
Passing through this in a heavy rain, now halting, now 
going to the left, now to the right, now forward, never 
certain where we were going, or when we would stop, it 
was a positive relief when, at about three o'clock in the 
afternoon, the rattling of Confederate bullets among the 
trees over our heads, told that the enemy had not gone 
entirely away. The skirmish line having orders to move 
on until tlie enemy was found, now halted, literally at the 
base of KennesavNT Mountain. General Sherman, discov- 
ered now that the way to Marietta lay over that moun- 
tain. In the evening, soon after we had found the enemy, 
a locomotive v^as sent forward to see how far it could pro- 
ceed. It came to a building which was well supplied with 
wood, all ready for use, wooded up, and, finding it was al- 
most up with our skirmish line, concluded to retire. Ut- 
tering a shrill whistle as it started, it was discovered by 
the rebels, and, bang ! bang ! went two jDieces of artillery 
from the summit of Kennesaw, after the retreating engine. 
The engineer made excellent time to the rear, escaping 
unhurt, but determining to find wood elsewhere after that 
treatment. 

The rebels had made the summit of the mountain their 
new line, and had planted several pieces of artillery there. 
Large details were also at work on the mountain side near 
the top, apparently making rifle pits there. Those of us 
who waded through that day's varying skirmishing ex- 
perience, in the woods and rain, had anything but a com- 
fortable prospect for the night, as we watched those dirty 
men almost directly above us, and imagined that we could 



EIGIITY-FIEST OHIO INFANTKY VOLS. 115 

Bee them engaged in the amiable business of detaching 
we rocks, M, in the stillness of the night they would 
end whirling down on our devoted heads! It was somo- 
thl>c of a compensation, and was even a subhme pleasure 
to se'; as we d d, the hasty dropping of tools, on the part 
of the^ piously intentioned rebels, and hurned rushmg 
behind tree and rocks, as one of our whizzing .he^ls. from 
a battery far in our rear, would burst among the rocks 
and crl^s of the mountain. We heard no sweeter mus.o 
that da; than the dull thud of that battery, and the sharp 
whistle of its shells flying over our heads ._ . „ 

iLnesaw Mountain ! What soldier who saw .t dunng 
these days, will ever forget its fiery-flam.ng brow ? Into 
low mal; households does the name bring the gush.ng 
tears of sorrow for the loved one whose spark of hfe went 
otftbefore that death-dealing giant of Nature ? Kennesaw 
Mountain held Sherman's army at bay fourteen days, dm^ 
r. which the loss in killed and wounded was greater than 
at'any previous part of the campaign. Very for unately 
tie isfohio, though almost allot that time m the front 
Le and ofte; on ptcket duty, yet was not called to make 
an assault at any time. On the 27th, a portion of the reg- 
ion wnt out'^.nder Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, m sup- 
Tt of a charging column of the 16th Corps ; but as the 
^ L oHack alont the whole line was so disastrously re- 
5 ed 1 t da ^n the right, and the physical impossibil- 
Hv of proceeding in front of the 16th Corps, prevented 
2y serous Idvatce in that part of the line, the battahon 
met with no loss. 



116 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XII. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — FROM KENNESAW MOUNTAIN TO NEARi 
ATLANTA. 

Probably never before did so large a number of specta- 
tors have the privilege of witnessing so grand a spectacle 
of artillery practice as occurred while we lay before Ken- 
nesaw. The rebels had about twelve guns on the left, or 
western part of the mountain — three or four more near 
the center, and half a dozen at the right, or eastern part. 
On these guns the Union army could certainly bring to 
bear fifty — perhaps more, for there were at least the 17th, 
16th, 15th and 14th Corps whose guns were in range. The 
summit of Kennesaw was so sharply defined against the 
sky, and the brow so shorn of trees, that every man who 
appeared about a gun could be seen by our whole line. 
On the other hand, the rebels, from their elevated position, 
had a perfect bird's-eye view of our entire operations. 
Under such circumstances, it may be imagined that the 
artillery combats would be frequent and exciting. For the 
first two or three days the rebels were very chary of their 
guns, not replying sometimes for hours to our almost con- 
stant cannonade. Daring these days the}^ were only get- 
ting read}^, building traverses and bomb-proofs for the 
safety of their gunners. They also made their works for 
the protection of their guns, as perfect as possible. On 
the third or fourth day, however, about eight o'clock in 
the morning, as our gunners leisurely began their cus- 
tomary popping, the whole army was aroused by a fast 
and furious cannonading from the westeim battery on Ken- 
nesaw. Hardly was the first volley given until one after 
another, the rebel guns in quick succession belched forth 
a second offering. By this time the whole army, along 



t 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 117 

McPherson's lines, was in line — not to fight — but to look. 
The rebel shell and shot always passed over the infantry? 
which was too close to the mountain to allow the depres- 
sion of the guns sufficiently to do any harm. It was, 
therefore, perfectly safe to stand out and see the fight. 
And so vigorously did the rebels ply their guns, that our 
bewildered artillerists seemed enchained by the extraor- 
dinary sight, and were very slow to send bar-k an answer- 
ing shot. Perceiving this, the rebels, who had Iain closely 
behind their works, began to boldly come out, until, be- 
tween the eyes of our soldiers and the sky beyond, the 
dirty figures of the exultant rebels thickly covered the 
crest of the mountain. As the fight progressed, and our 
guns still were silent, these dirty legions sent up shout 
after shout of defiance, while the Union soldiers could 
only look silently on, and wonder why our batteries were 
still. At last our gunners seemed to recover their self- 
p>ossession, and the first shell thrown fell close to a rebel 
gun, but not until the swarming line of rebel heads which 
"had marked its coming," but did not "grow brighter 
when it came," had securely hid themselves behind their 
fortifications. Then, as thick and fast fell the well-aimed 
shells from our batteries, among the smoke and flash of 
the rebel guns, it was our time to cheer. Growing excited 
in the contest, every gun of ours that could reach the rebel 
line, and many that could not, opened wpon them. The 
rebels held out manfully for awhile, but as one after an- 
other of our batteries oj^encd on them, in front and flank, 
they were at last compelled to lie still, or only fire when a 
lull of a minute gave them opportunity. It was a grand 
scene. The Union troops could distinctly see the rebel 
guns fire, and could hear the flight of their shell, and their 
angry bursting far overhead, but could not see the efl'ect 
of any that fell among our batteries, they being mostly in 
rear of the infantry lines. Eut with glasses, and even 



118 HISTORY OF THE 

with the naked eye, they could see where our shell burst, 
and where the solid shot tore up the earth and threw the 
dust about the rebel works. Every good shot was vehe- \ 
mently cheered, and the artillery practice became a regu- 
lar source of amusement. 

The 27th of June was a bloody day before Kennesaw, 
although, as before stated, not much was done in front of I 
the 16th Corps. It was at the close of this exciting day, 
when, at a battery whose guns had just ceased their boom- 
ing and roaring at the mountain, there arose in sweetest 
melody the sound of music. It was a quartette of male 
voices, and the song was — " We'll be gay and happy still." 
Yery fitting, it seemed to be, to hear under those guns, 
the ringing chorus — 

" Then let the cannon boom as they will, 
We'll be gaj and happy still I" 

The singers were adepts. Their voices were clear and 
strong, the evening air was calm and still, and as the 
sound of their song floated over the neighboring camps, 
the weary soldiers crept instinctively toward the singers, 
to luxuriate in the harmony of " sweet song." The singers 
had no grand house made with hands, where, amid the 
glare of gas-light, giving backthe flash of costly diamonds, 
and the more potent sparkling of beauty's witching eyes, 
the listeners could languish in luxurious ease. But such 
an audience never experienced rarer or truer delight than 
did these soldiers, stretched on the bare earth, beneath the 
green roof of " God's first temples," and listening to the fa- 
miliar airs of " Yacant chair," and " Home again ;" while, 
in fancy, they heard, far away, the same songs sung in 
softer tones, as they used to delight to hear them, when 
home was not a myth. Far into the night the " concert " 
continued, while the sharp staccato of the skirmisher's 
rifle on the mountain side, bore a suggestive accompani- 
ment. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 119 

After the disastrous termination of the assault on the 
27th of June, Greneral Sherman, seeing that the position 
could not be stormed without too great loss of life, set his 
brain to work to devise other means. As usual, he de- 
cided on another flanking expedition, and, as usual, also, 
he appointed the gallant McPherson to lead the way. The 
maturing of his plan, and the preparation for its execu- 
tion, occupied several days. On the 2d of July, the move- 
ment of wagon trains of McPherson's command, away to 
the right, was completed, and that night the left of the 
army withdrew and began its movement in the same di- 
rection. The 17th Corps moved first— the 16th following. 
The night was extremely dark, and a number of mistakes 
occurred to cause portions of the column to take the w^rong 
roads, and thus delay the movement, so that just before 
daylight the 81st Ohio went into bivouac, scarcely two 
miles from where it started. From a brief sleep the sol- 
diers were early aroused by the news that the Stars and 
Stripes were flying on Kennesaw ! True enough, while 
we, with the utmost silence and secresy, were escaping 
from the rebels, they were just as cautiously running away 
from us. They did not entirely leave Marietta until after 
daylight, when a train of cars left with the rails from a 
portion of the railroad track, which was torn up to pre- 
vent General Sherman from riding into Marietta in triumph. 
Notwithstanding the evacuation of Kennesaw and Mari- 
etta, the movement of McPherson's army w^as continued, 
with but slight modifications. On the night of the 3d, the 
16th Corps had passed beyond the positions of the Army 
of the Cumberland and of the Ohio. One Brigade (2d of 
2d Division) crossing Nickajack Creek at Ruff's Mills, 
relieved a Brigade of the 15th Corps, which, during the 
afternoon, had been engaged with the enemy at that 
place. The Brigade did not reach its position until after 
dark, and then throwing out skirmishers a short distance 



120 HISTORY OF THE 

in advance, bivouacked in line of battle. In the morning, 
the 4th Division, General Yeatch, crossed the creek and 
passed out a short distance and formed in line of battle. 
In this way it advanced, until it found the enemy strongly 
posted, only a half mile or so from where Colonel Mersey's 
Brigade had bivouacked that night. The Second Division 
was soon ordered up to take position on the right of the 
4th. About noon, while the 81st Ohio was advancing 
toward the front, passing through a lane in rear of the 
line of the 4th Division, Lieutenant Lockwood received a 
severe wound from a rebel ball striking his leg. A mem- 
ber of Company I, about the same time had a hole cut 
through his hat, and his ear grazed by another ball. It 
was evident that we were again coming in contact with 
the enemy whom we h ad hoped to not see again on this side of 
the Chattahoochee. Without further loss, the 81st Ohio 
formed in line on the right of the 66th Illinois, which 
joined the 39th Ohio, of the 4th Division. The 12th 
Illinois was formed close in rear, in reserve, and the First 
Brigade was placed still further on the right. Earthworks 
were immediately thrown up, as, by this time, the wagons 
containing intrenching tools had become quite as favored 
as Headquarters' teams, and were always kept close at the 
heels of each Brigade. It was not long after noon, and 
intensely hot, when the brave boys of the 81st Ohio cele- 
brated the Fourth of July by digging vigorously into 
the red soil of the Southern Confederacy in the State of 
Georgia. They had a picnic dinner, too, in the woods, 
of most simple and frugal kind. Hard tack and salt pork 
with coffee, and no other dessert, formed the staples of the 
feast. There was no music; but the burning of i^owder, 
and the big noise consequent, was more extensive than 
agreeable. Neither were there any speeches of the usual 
spread eagle character, but the Flag was there, and, in the 
soft rustle of its silken folds, as it floated to the breeze in 



EtQHTY-PIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 121 

that Georgian forest, it aroused more of patriotism in the 
hearts of those who were proud to have borne it thus far 
in honor, than would have been awakened by a hundred 
speeches. And so we worked on, glad that we were 
allowed the privilege of thus celebrating the day, though 
not unmindful of the fact that it were infinitely easier to 
celebrate it far more ostentatiously and grandly away up 
North, out of hearing of war, than it was here. 

Soon the 66th Illinois was called out to strengthen the 
skirmish line, and it connected with the skirmishers of 
the 39th Ohio. About three o'clock, all things were ready 
for a charge on the enemy's works ! It was to be made 
by the 4th Division-the skirmishers of the 2d Division 
to co-operate. In front of the latter, at but a short dis- 
tance, the enemy had, in an open field, a strongly in- 
trenched picket line, which was farther protected by the 
fellin- of the underbrush at tlio pdgc of the woods 
through which our troops must pass ta roach the works, 
in such a manner as to delay them ill >'m Vang« "^ ^^'^ 
rebel guns. It was any thing but a desirable piece of 
work with which to close a celebration of the Fourtli of 
July, but in this case the programme had to be strictly fol- 
lowed With rare gi^Uantry, the 39th and 27th Ohio 
reo-iments moved through an open field, resistlessly on- 
ward against the enemy's intrenched line, and, of course, 
took it At nearly the same time the G6th Illinois took 
up the shout, and springing from behind their cover, 
rushed down upon the enemy's intrenched skirmish line 
and took it, with a number of prisoners. On the right of 
the 66th, the 2d Iowa captured other works and prisoners. 
It was now nearly sunset. It was evident that the rebels 
were in full force, and as wo had gained ground, it was 
thought necessary to intrench, h) order to hold it. Ac- 
eordinc^ly, the 66th Illinois was gathered toward the left, 
and the 12th Illinois, 52d Illinois and 6r,th Indiana were 
10 



122 HISTORY OF THE 

})laced on its right, and set to work at converting the 
rebel works into solid Union intrenchments. After siin-i 
set the rebels shelled our working parties pretty severely, 
causing some injury. About one o'clock that night, an 
order came for the 81st Ohio to relieve the 66th Illinois, 
and complete the work it had begun. From their beds on 
the hard earth, the men reluctantly arose, and, in the 
pitchy darkness, the regiment silently started toward its 
destination, moving by the flank, in two ranks. It was a 
dense woods where they had been lying, and there was no 
path to follow. Moving along the sleeping lines, the head 
of the column at last crossed the earthworks, and found a 
road leading to the front. On this. Colonel Adams led 
his command to their destination, and was just about to 
assign the different companies to their positions, when he 
discovered that but two or three companies were present. 
Nobody could tell where the others were, and so a search 
was instituted. Going back toward the place of starting, 
be met the rest on the way. The night was so dark, and 
the way so crooked, that there had been a gaj) in the line 
before the regiment crossed the works, and the leader of 
the hindmost battalion, thus formed, lost sight of his 
file leader, and missed his way. It was nearly day- 
light when the regiment got into j)osition, and then the 
poor men, exhausted and sleepy as they were, had to dig 
once more, to complete the half finished works. 

When daylight came, our skirmishers reported no enemy 
in front. The rebels had again fallen back, and we had 
the poor satisfaction of knowing that while we were 
losing sleep and digging earth, the enemy was also 
losing sleep, but instead of planning to attack us, as we 
thought, he was making all possible speed to escape. The 
regiment rested until 1 P. M. — enjoying in the meantime as 
only soldiers can enjoy, the luxury of a full mail bringing 
letter? fjiftd P?ipers from home. By sunset the 81st Qhio 



EIGIiTY-FERST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. l23 

^Yas in 'bivoiiac at Wido\Y Gordon's or Mitchell's on the 
Sandtown road, about four miles from the Chattahoochee 
river. Here, during the 6th and 7th, the regiment rested, 
taking such comfort as could be had in a little hot field, 
enclosed on two sides by a woods which, while it cast no 
welcome shadow, kept the wind from reaching us from 
those sides. Still it was made to contribute innumerable 
boughs of oak and pine, whose leafy limbs were made to 
keep out the sunshine from the little tenements which the 
men always built wherever they slept. 

The enemy at this time had commenced crossing the 
Chattahoochee, and for this purpose had concentrated his 
forces nearer the railroad. McPherson's army was now at 
the extreme right of the army, and close to the river. 
Early on the morning of the 8th, the 81st Ohio, with the 
rest of the Brigade, was ordered forward and advanced 
nearly to the river. There the 81st was detached and sent 
to relieve the 66th Illinois, which had been on picket on 
the river bank. The left of the line was almost on the 
bank at Baker's Ferry, while toward the right, the line 
ran alons; some high ground, along a fence, some three or 
four hundred yards from the river. Companies C and I 
were posted behind a little bank near the Ferry, with 
orders to keep up a sharp firing, as if attempting to effect 
a crossing. A few men crept cautiously down toward the 
Ferry, where an outpost was established, and where, by 
exercising great care, a shot at very close range could 
occasionally be given. So the day passed ; while one reliei 
was firing, the rest were lying in the shade, or luxuriating 
upon the ripe blackberries which grew there so abundantly. 
Toward evening, a peremptory command came to cease 
firing, and the boys were glad enough to hear it, as scarcely 
one was not afSicted by that time with a sore shoulder from 
the recoil of the gun. 

Amoncr those who manifested bravery of the highest 



124 HISTORY OF THE 

degree, that day, and whose name may be mentioned hero 
without disparagement to any of the others — for he is 
dead — is Private Fletcher B. Haynes, of Company C. 
At the beginning of the campaign he was not on duty with 
the Compan}^, being Eegimental Armorer. But, as, during 
the march he could do nothing in that capacity, he volun- 
tarily assumed his place in the ranks, and carried his gun — 
a revolving carbine, into whatever action the Company 
went. Being an excellent marksman, he went that day 
to the out-post before mentioned, and ascertaining during 
the day that a point blank range upon the rebel battery 
could be obtained at a little distance from the defense 
which screened the party, he conceived the idea of build- 
ing a barricade at that point, as soon as darkness should 
render it practicable. When darkness came, he went to 
work, and by occasionally ducking low to the ground, as 
a careless rebel sent a bullet over his head, he succeeded 
in getting a perfect defense built, from which, when day- 
light came, he could try his gun against the rebel cannon. 
Morning came, and Avhen the rebel gunners made their 
appearance to pay their respects to our artillery, a bang ! 
from Haynes' gun sent a ball plump through the em- 
brasure, and the cannon was not loaded. Again they 
essayed it, but another ball from his unerring gun drove 
them away, and thus, from daylight until he Avas relieved, 
he effectually silenced that twelve pounder with his little 
carbine. 

About seven o'clock, on the morning of the ninth of 
July, the pickets were withdrawn, and almost immediately 
the march was commenced toward Marietta. Another 
flank movement was to be made, and for the fifth time in 
this campaign, McPherson was deputed to make the 
movement. He had, by his demonstrations along the 
river, on the right, drawn the attention of the rebels in 
that direction, and now, althoufjh it was at the hight of 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 125 

the heat of a Georgian July, it was thought necessary to 
move his whole army from the extreme right to the ex- 
treme left. It may have been best, but it seemed then 
that troops nearer the left would have made the movement 
with far less trouble. However, it is not for soldiers to 

« question why, 

Their's but to do and die." 

This time the 16th Corps had the advance, and with a 
fatality which seemed always to attend the movement of 
an army, there was a harassing delay which made it after- 
noon when the 81st Ohio started. It was eighteen miles 
to Marietta, which place was to be the end of that day's 
march. As a matter of course, taking into account the 
inevitable delays on account of stoppages of the artillery 
and wagon trains, it was after midnight when the 81st 
went into bivouac, tired and worn out with the continual 
watching and marching which had been the portion of a 
part of the regiment for the previous forty hours. 

During this night march there was a curious occurrence 
which I will here record for the benefit of students of the 
science of mind. The regiment was marching by flank in 
the usual way, and had just passed through one of the 
rebel lines of works around Marietta, when suddenly 
there was a rushing sound heard by those in the rear from 
toward the front of the regiment, accompanied by cries of 
^'Lookout!" "Hi! Hi!" " Get out of the way ! " "Take 
care ! " The sound and rush seemed to begin at the head 
of the regiment and to move rapidly toward the rear. I 
was near the rear and to me it was so sudden that I had 
no time to reflect until I found myself running with all 
possible speed, with every body else, out of the road. 
Apparently something—no one could tell what— ^ttftfitrd-^ ^ 
down the road through the dividing ranks, with the speed 
of a locomotive ; and so vivid was the impression on most 
of the troops, that something had passed, that there was 



126 HISTORY OF THE 

quite a lively discussion, for a time, as to whether it was 
a squad of rebel cavalry, a runaway horse, or some Gov- 
ernment cattle on a stampede. As there were large herds 
of cattle near by, the latter supposition had most 
supporters. But nobody could be found who had seen 
any thing ; they had only heard something going at 
mad speed through the regiment, and then the sound 
ceased. It was dark, yet a horse or steer could have been 
seen. What was it? Really it was nothing more material 
than a panic in its purest and most ethereal form, xi mule, 
at the woodside, in its death struggles, rattled some bushes 
and frightened the horses of the officers at the head of the 
column. As these backed a little toward the men, the 
ranks opened on either side of the road, and some one 
indiscreetly cried out, "look out!" So accustomed were 
the men to do just as their file leaders did, that one after 
another, they separated the whole length of the regiment 
as before stated, without knowing why. At what particu- 
lar j^oint, and why, the idea of something passing arose, 
I can not tell. The matter was a subject of both Avonder 
and merriment for a long time. 

Very early on the morning of the 10th of July the regi- 
ment was en route for Roswell, a manufacturing town on the 
Chattahoochee,about twelve or fourteen miles from Marietta. 
We reached it at 1 P. M., having so exhausted the troops 
by the ascent of a long hill, totally unprotected by shade, 
that on reaching the summit where there was a woods 
and shade, our regiment numbered less than eighty men 
in ranks ! Nor were other regiments any better. And 
those who by their iron will did keep in their places, were 
so nearly exhausted that they, too, would have succumbed 
in a few minutes more if a halt had not been made. Men 
fell out of ranks then, who had never done so before. I 
think we never passed through so severe an ordeal in 
m arch i no*. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 127 

We spent the rest of the afternoon in crossing the river, 
to relieve Newton's Division of the 4th Corps. The cross- 
ing was effected without the use of bridge or pontoons — 
the men waded across! The stream was but about twenty 
inches deep at the place where we crossed, but it was at 
least three hundred yards wide, and the current was quite 
strong. The Brigade commanded by Colonel Sprague, 
crossed in some style — marching with two regiments side 
by side, companies in line, and preceded by a brass band, 
discoursing music all the sweeter for being on the water. 

As usual, before the almost exhausted troops lay down 
to rest and sleep, they built a line of intrenchments, such 
as in other times they would have required a day to com- 
plete. But this situation had one charm for our ears : we 
could sleep at night without hearing the skirmishers' ever- 
lasting bang ! bang ! at the front. We could only hear in 
the distance, toward the right, the heavy boom of the far 
off cannon, with which we had no concern. The men ac- 
tually rested here. With a forest in which to bivouac, 
protected from the heat of the sun, a river to bathe in, 
and numerous springs of sparkling water to quench thirst, 
there was real comfort in the situation. 

Here we lay until the morning of the 16th of July, by 
which time the remainder of McPherson's army had ar- 
rived. General Dodge, with his characteristic energy, 
had rebuilt the long bridge over the Chattahoochee, so that 
wagons passed over it on the morning of the 14th — being 
hardly three days' work. The bridge was a substantial 
structure, made of what lumber could be found at the 
mills, eked out by the flooring of many of the buildings 
of Eoswell. 

Johnston now found that Sherman had a fixed lodgment 
on the Atlanta side of the river, and that his communica- 
tions were again in danger ; he therefore withdrew to that 
side wnth all his army, and Sherman followed. Usins; the 



128 HISTORY OF THE 

right as a pivot, Sherman moved his line like the hand of 
a clock, resistlessly onward, pushing everything before it. 
Starting on the 16th, the 15th and 16th Corps, on parallel 
roads, had the advance of McPherson'sarmy. The move- 
ment was nearly southward, and was made to the extent 
of about ten miles with but little opposition. Late in the 
afternoon, the 9th Illinois (mounted,) had a lively skir- 
mish with rebel cavalry, losing several men. And as the 
infantry came up, there was a brisk little fight, between a 
battery or two of ours, and one of the enemy's. Lieuten- 
ant Laird, 14th Ohio Battery, got two or three of his guns 
in position, and with such unerring precision did he send 
his shot and shell that we could see the rebels hastily 
evacuating their temporary position, and making all pos- 
sible speed toward the rear. G-eneral McPherson and Gen- 
eral Dodge were much at the front, even when the rebel 
shell were flying thickly there. There was no movement 
of that army which was not seen and known personally 
by the almost omnipresent McPherson. Where there was 
to be danger or difficulty, he seemed instinctively to know 
it, and he was invariably present to give his valuable aid. 
The next day the movement was continued, with slight 
skirmishing, during the day. The troops were encamped 
that night in line, near Nancy's Creek. The next day, 
the 18th of July, an advance was made with almost con- 
stant skirmishing, to Peach Tree Creek, and on the 19th, 
the Army of the Tennessee reached Decatur. General Scho- 
field's troops had a sharp little contest at the edge of the 
town, but as General Logan's troops, and the advance 
of General Dodge's, were coming in at the other side, the 
rebels retired. Schotield's troops were moved a little to 
the right, so as to leave the town to General McPherson's 
command. General Dodge's Corps occupied that portion 
of the town nearest Atlanta, and was very unexpectedly 
saluted by a rebel battery, just about sunset, as General 



EIOHTY-EIRSX OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 129 

Fuller's Division was going into position for the "ight 
The shell struck his column, and created a considerab e 
disturbance in the bivouac of the men and mules of the 
9th Illinois. This command hastily sought a move se- 
cluded camp for the night. General Fuller's troops took 
reSe in lylg flat down, while he hurried up h.s famous 
rith Ohio Battery, which, in a very short t.me, drove the 
reiels from their position, and allowed us to rest dur.ng 
the remainder of the night in peace. 

On the 20th of July, the Army of the Cumberland which 
formed the right of the whole army, fought the bbody 
battle of Peach Tree Creek; while we '^^ P'^^'^';^;''^ '^ 
bivouac at Decatur. Some idea of the vastness of She - 
^In's operations may be had from the fact that McH. r- 
sou's amy did not know that Thomas had been hghbng. 
The artillery was heard, of course, but that was of so fre- 
duent occurrence that it was scarcely observed at all. 
^ With the successful termination of that batte our hues 
began to close in around Atlanta. On the 21st ot July, 
the 17th Corps took position on the extreme left, having a 
fierce battle for the possession of a commanding eminence 
called by the army. Bald Hill. The 15th Corps joined it 
on the right, and the 16th was mostly left in reserve. Gen- 
eral Sweeney's Division was placed in line with the 15th one 

Brigade of General Fuller's Division in rear of th.a Wh 
Corps and Colonel Sprague's Brigade left in charge of De- 
eatur Formidable lines of earthworks protected tue long 
line of our army from MePherson's left to Thomas' right. 
The usual amount of skirmishing and artillery practice 
had been in progress all day. Night settled on the two 
armies, lying in close array, entirely oblivious of the gi and 
and bloody scene that was to be enacted on the morrow. 



11 



130 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ATLANTA CAMPAIGN — BATTLES OF JULY 22d AND 28tH. 

The morning ot the 22d of July shone brightly on the 
Union Army, awakened early with the news that Atlanta 
was in our possession. Skirmishers were sent forward, 
who found the half-finished works of the rebels deserted, 
but before the city itself was reached, it was discovered 
that the enemy had but withdrawn to their inner strong- 
hold. General Johnston had been superseded by Hood, 
and this ambitious fighting general was making his first 
brilliant maneuver. He had withdrawn to his inner lines 
for the purpose of sending an overwhelming force around 
our left, to attack us in flank and rear. A mere accident 
saved us from even the headlong tactics of this most un- 
fortunate general. 

Early in the morning, orders had been given to push 
forward the whole line to that lately occupied by the 
rebels, and intrench there. General Sweeney *s Division 
had been ordered from its position with the 15th Corps, 
and with the Brigade of General' Fuller's Division, in rear 
of the 17th Corps, was to take position on the left of 
the 17th Corps, so soon as it should get its line estab- 
lished. As soon as the order was given. General Dodge 
went to the ground designated, and made a thorough view 
of it, previous to assigning his troops to their places. The 
17th Corps, not getting its new line established very 
rapidly, General Sweeney's Division, on reaching a j^oint 
in rear of the Brigade of General Fuller's Division, halted 
to await orders. As the troops then were. General Dodge's 
command was lying nearly a half mile in rear of the center 
of the line of the 17th Corps. It was twelve o'clock, when 
some strnv skirmish shots were heard in the woods, near 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 131 

General Sweeney's Division. In a few minutes, a staff 
officer rode up to General Dodge, (who had just returned 
from the front, and was eating dinner with General Fuller) 
and told him of the firing, and said that there seemed to 
be a body of rebels there. As this was so very far in rear 
of the 17th Corps, it seemed incredible that a force should 
have passed their flank, nevertheless. General Dodge sent 
an order to General Sweeney to put his command in line 
of battle, and telling General Fuller to have his command 
under arms immediately, he mounted, and rode over to 
where General Sweeney was. It was an open field, bounded 
on the south by a wide belt of forest. A little ridge ran 
southwardly through the field toward the forest. To the 
right of it, ran a stream, in the same direction, toTvard 
which the ground on either side gently declined. General 
Sweeney's Division was posted with the right resting near 
this stream, extending up to the ridge, where nearly all 
the artillery was placed, then bending back at right angles 
and running along the ridge. The right regiment w^as the 
12th Illinois, and immediately on its left was the 81st Ohio, 
(three companies of which were in reserve under Captain 
Hill,) which extended as far as to the artillery. General 
Fuller placed his Brigade on the west side of the stream 
mentioned, in a line nearly in continuation of the right of 
General Sweeney's. Hardly were these dispositions made, 
until the artillery at the angle of General Sweeney's line 
was suddenly and fiercely assaulted by a strong column of 
rebels, emerging almost without notice, from the woods so 
near in front. Belching forth their quick volleys of can- 
ister, full in the faces of the foe, it seemed that the guns of 
Blodgett and Laird (the former Company H, 1st Missouri 
Light Artillery, and the latter, 14th Ohio Battery) would 
alone be invincible ; but the determination of the rebels 
was great, and their rashness such as only Hood could in- 
spire. Their numbers, we soon saw, w^ere not to be 



132 HISTORY OF TUE 

despised. Pouring out of the woods on the right and left, 
almost enveloping the three Brigades which formed the 
16th Corps, it looked as if there could be no escape from 
defeat and surrender. At one time the Brigade of Colonel 
Morrill, (General Fuller's Division,) was forced back, tem- 
porarily by a deadly flank fire poured upon it from a line 
in the woods on its right, but nobly rallying, and partially 
changing front, it advanced again to victory. 

General Sweeney's command stood like a rock. Kever was 
there more daring or more effective resistance made, than 
by both his infantry and artillery; attacked as they were with 
scarcely a moment's warning, and without the slightest 
defenses. At an opportune moment, Captain Hill's re- 
serve, ordered forward by General Dodge, took position 
in a gap between the 81st Ohio and 12th Illinois, and 
these regiments moved forward in a grand triumphal 
charge, carrying every thing before them and driving the 
dismayed foe in terror from the field. The 81st Ohio, in 
this charge, captured a number of prisoners and three 
rebel battle flags. "With this, the rebels were apparently 
satisfied to yield the contest. They had marched nearly 
all the previous night, and had expected to take us com- 
pletel}^ by surprise, as they would have done, if it had not 
been for the mere accidental position of General Sweeney's 
Division. Finding this force in the very place they had 
expected to find nothing, and meeting with such deter- 
mined and destructive resistance, they became heartily 
discouraged, and fell back under cover of the woods. 

In the meantime, other rebel columns had been at work 
elsewhere. The first attack was made on General Dodge, 
but the rest followed quickly. One column gained the 
immediate rear of the 17th Corps, and crushing it, the col- 
umn swept along in rear undisturbed, until they reached 
a little road on which General McPherson was riding, 
alone, toward the line of the 17th Corps, till ignorant 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 138 

Of the presence of an enemy in the rear of his command. 
At that point, the General was suddenly confronted by a 
line of rebels. There was no order to halt, no demand for 
surrender, but a volley of musketry crashed through the 
woods, and the gallant and beloved McPherson was 
stretched on the ground. His horse escaping unhurt 
ran into our lines and was the first to carry the sad 
news of his rider's death. On the same road, about the 
same time, another portion of this rebel line came sud- 
denly upon the battery of Lieutenant Murray, (" F 2d 
U S Artillery,) which was at the time passing from the 
line of the 17th Corps to Cxeneral Fuller. The horses were 
shot down, and the guns and men captured. Still further 
to the right the rebel line struck the works of the l^th 
Corps in flank, and drove the men of that Corps back 
slowly toward Bald Hill, where the right of the Corps 
rested These men were not driven by fear. Fighting 
desperately now from one side and then from the other 
of their works, they only went back as they found them- 
selves nearly cut off from the rest of the army. 

A half mile or more to the right, another rebel column 
made a direct assault on the line held by the 15th Corps, 
near the railroad. Rushing through a railroad cut, which, 
apparently, was not defended, the rebels gained a flank 
fire on our troops, and forced them to retire, leaving the 
guns of the celebrated DeGres' Battery in the enemy s 
hands. This was late in the afternoon. General Dodge's 
troops had driven away their assailants, and were busy m 
erecting defenses against another assault. General Logan 
had been assigned to the command made vacant by the 
death of McPherson. In the emergency of the partial 
repulse of the 15th Corps, he called on General Dodge for 
a Brigade to aid in retrieving the lost works. Colonel 
Mersey's Brigade was sent. By the road which they had 
to march, the distance was nearly two miles, yet these 



134 HISTORY OF THE 

men, who had already fought a desperate and exhaustive 
battle, and who had afterward been hard at work in build- 
ing works, moved at double quick most of the way, and 
immediately joined in a charge by which the line which 
had been lost was recovered, and the guns retaken. A 
detail from the 81st Ohio assisted Captain DeGres in 
serving his guns upon the retreating rebels. So zealous 
were they in this work that one of the guns burst from 
the effects of its heavy charges. 

So ended the battle, with the exception of a most bloody 
and persistent attack on the small j^ortion of the 17th 
Corps, crowded together on Bald Hill. Night put a stop 
to the desperate hand to hand conflict, which raged there 
nearly all the afternoon. 

To show the intensity of the struggle in General Dodge's 
front, it may be stated that Lieutenant Blodgett's Battery 
fired over four hundred rounds, mostly case and canister ; 
while that of Lieutenant Laird fired over six hundred 
rounds of the same kind. On this little front our troops 
buried one hundred and fifty dead rebels, after the battle. 
Many more were carried off and buried by the enemy. 
The ordnance officer of one Division reported having 
picked up 1,200 guns, abandoned by the eneni}^. General 
Dodge's command took prisoners rei)resenting forty-nine 
different regiments. 

Among those who fell to rise no more in the first victori- 
ous charge made by the 81st Ohio, was Captain Charles 
Lane, commanding Company K. A rebel bullet pierced 
his head, and his death was instantaneous. To say that 
he died at his post in defense of his country, gives him an 
immortality of honor on the bright roll of his country's 
heroes ; to say that he was beloved by his men, and 
respected by his fellow officers ; that he was one of the 
very few in the army possessing firmness sufficient to 
resist its tem2:>tations ; that his private character was 



BI«HTY-FIKST OHIO INFANTEY VOLS. 135 

Stainless; that hi« example was that of a -ble Christian 
eoldiei-all this may render hie memory dear o his fr ends 
and reconcile them in part to his loss. B.^. .round h^ 
widowed and orphaned hearthstone are l;'->y hearts 
gathered to whom no eulogy can bring the balm o con- 
eolation. Theirs is a grief too sacred and tender for 

human touch. ^ .... , . v 

Upon the death of Captain Lane, Lieutenant Hezekmh 
Hoover succeeded to the command of the Company. He 
led it to the assault subsequently made by the Brigade 
upon the line of works lost by the l^t.\Corps and h r 
while advancing, was struck by a piece of shell and 
Tnstantly killed" Thus, within a few hours t.vo officer 
of the same company iell to rise no more. T'.eir bodies 
were tenderly borne by their bereaved comrades to their 
last resting place, and decently interred. 

Late in the night of the 22d, the tired sold,ei-s of Colonel 
Mersey's Brigade were awakened and moved over to B^d 
Hill This was in consequence of the importance of the 
position, and of the fact that the soldiers who were occu- 
pving it were exhausted, and were so mixed up that then 
commanders were unwilling to depend on them in ease of 
a determined night assault. It was a compliment to the 
bravery of this Brigade to be assigned to this important 
position, but the boys did .ot so understand >t -d Jj 
only thought they were being overworked. The lebels 
Lver renewed the attack; they had lost terribly in killed 
and wounded, amounting to over seven tbo-and while 
our loss was but three thousand five hundred. S HI, ou. 
troops, taking lessons in building defenses from the new 
Tode of atta'ck to which they had been subjected bu^ 
.uch works as they never had built before On Bald Hill 
the 12th Illinois and 81st Ohio had a perfect labyrinth of 
works. They had no flanks, no rear ! These they peace- 



136 HISTORY OP THE 

ably occupied during the succeeding three or four daygj 
annoyed only by an occasional skirmisher's shot. 

During these days of rest after the battle of the 22d^ 
the term of service of Colonel Mersey expired, and that 
officer, so long in command of the Brigade, to which the 
81st Ohio belonged, took his leave of his soldiers. As he 
passed through the command with which he bad been so 
long connected, his feelings overpowered him, and tears, 
instead of words, told of the strong attachment with which 
he was bound to them. It was a touching parting scene, 
on that hot and bloody battle field. The Colonel received 
a highly complimentary letter upon the occasion of his 
departure from General Dodge, as an extract will show : 

" You leave at a time and under circumstances of which 
you and your command may justly be proud. Fighting 
ns you did, on three different fields the same day, and vic- 
torious on every one, forms the best and most honorable 
reward that jon can take with you. I again heartily 
thank you for all you have done, and trust that you will 
not forget old associates in any new field you may choose, 
I am, very respectfully, 

G. M. Dodge, 

Major General." 

This left Lieutenant-Colonel Phillips, of the 9th Illinois, 
in command of the Brigade. About the same time. General 
Sweeney, commanding the Division, was arrested and 
ordered to Nashville for trial, upon charges preferred by 
order of General Dodge; and General J. M. Corse, Chief 
of Staft' to General Sherman, was assigned to the com- 
mand. 

The troops remained in the same position until the 
evening of the 26th of July, when General Sherman de- 
termined to move the Army of the Tennessee from the 
left to the right flank. To this end a very strong line 
of works had been built where the new left flank was to 
rest, in order to counteract an attack, should the enemy 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 137 

discover our withdrawal. All things being ready, as soon 
as it was dark, the 16th Corps silently left its works, first, 
followed by the 17th and 15th Corps, in order, but leaving 
the skirmishers to withdraw nearer daylight. The night 
was exceedingly dark, and the roads obscure and mani- 
fold, being close in rear of the aruiy. We blundered 
along nearly all night, and at daylight went into bivouac 
for a few hours. We were still several miles from our 
destination, and began to move by ten o'clock. Some 
time in the afternoon, the 16th Corps began to go into 
position on the extreme right of the army on Utoy 
Creek. A brisk skirmish ensued, as our skirmishers 
drove back those of the enemy, and it was after dark 
before our troops got into position. The 17th Corps, 
which was to go on the right of the 16th, lay in rear tiiat 
night in bivouac. On the 28th, it took position early, 
followed by the 15tli Corps, which was to form the ex- 
treme right. 

While the latter Corps was forming its line, Hood made 
another of his characteristic assaults. He had discovered 
our movement from left to right, and had undertaken to 
outmarch us, so as to get possession of the ground before 
we did. In this, as in his attack of the 22d, he was nearly 
successful. He had almost marched around the flank of 
our army, hence his attack fell mostly on the 15th Corps.- 
It was like all the battles fought by Hood, bold and reck- 
less. Mass after mass was hurled against the gallant 15th 
Corps, only to be horribly mangled and sent bleeding 
back. Still the attack Avas persistent, and General How- 
ard, who the previous day had assumed command of the 
Army of the Tennessee, and who, with General Logan, 
was watching the contest, ordered up re-enforcements. 
From the 16th Corps four regiments were sent, two from 
Colonel Phillips' Brigade, 12th Illinois and 81st Ohio. 
These regiments arrived in time to not only revive the 



138 HISTORY OF THE 

courage of the tried 15th Corps, but also to take an active 
part in repelling the enemy. This battle was known as 
the battle of Ebenezer Church. It was the last of Hood's 
attempts to "flank" General Sherman before Atlanta. 
Prisoners very generally said with more of truth than 
playfulness, that Hood could not fight much longer in 
that way, "for," said they, "he has not much more than 
one more killin' left! " 

Now began what was in earnest, the siege of Atlanta. 
Our lines did not invest the place, but, as far as they 
reached, they were placed as close to the rebel works as 
possible. Whenever it was possible, some point in advance 
was seized by force or strategy, and thus we kept creep- 
ing closer and closer toward the stronghold. But it was 
a trying operation. Perhaps no month in the history of 
the 81st was filled with so much mental and bodily dis- 
comfort, as was this. It was hot ; rations were barely 
sufficient, and sometimes scanty. Vegetables were not at- 
tainable. The troops actually had no rest. There were, 
in fact, no reserves where the enemy's balls did not come. 
It was a continued slow-fought battle, day and night for 
these four weeks. There was, to many of the- regiments, 
less danger on the picket line than behind their works. 
The 81st w^as in such a position that its works afforded it 
no protection. Its members dug holes in the ground, and 
lived a sort of prison life there. The fly under which 
headquarters of the regiment was established was riddled 
with bullets, and if the place had not been strongly in- 
trenched and sunk a little in the ground, it would have 
been untenable. Through the tree-tops, and against their 
trunks and limbs, the balls Avere continually flying. Every 
day some one or more were wounded or killed while walk- 
ing about in camp, and more than one was killed while 
asleep at night. Other regiments were in like, or worse 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INPANTuY VOLS. 139 

condition. Under these circumstances, men were becom- 
ing sick rapidly. Even the killed and wounded thinned 
the ranks sadly, but the continual watching and apprehen- 
sion wore out the men worse than active duty could do. 
There was a growing necessity for some change of tactics. 
Every body saw that in this way Hood could soon be able 
to take Sherman instead of Sherman taking Atlanta. 

About the first of August Governor Brough received 
official notice of the resignation of Colonel Morton and 
Major Evans. The former had remained as commandant 
at Pulaski until sometime in July, when, on account ot 
bad health, he resigned. Major Evans remained with the 
regiment until after the investment of Kennesaw Moun- 
tain, when, being attacked violently with hemorrhage ot 
the lungs, he was compelled to resign. Governor Brough 
filled the vacancies by appointing Lieutenant-Colonel R. 
N. Adams, Colonel, Captain J. W. Titus, Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel, and Captain W. H. Chamberlin, Major. .Colonel Titus 
tendered his resignation in a few days, and it was accepted. 
Colonel Adams became ranking officer in the Brigade, and 
assumed command. 

On the 20th of August, the 16th Corps lost the services 
of General Dodge, who had been so long connected with a 
part of that organization. The General was making, as 
was his invariable custom, a personal examination of that 
portion of his lines in front of General Corse's Division, 
accompanied by a single staff officer, and one or two or- 
derlies. Not content with the view from the front line, 
he followed a little trench, cut for the purpose, to the outer 
intrenched picket line. Here, while looking through one 
of the loop-holes, a rebel sent a ball at him, and inflicted 
an ugly wound upon his forehead and the top of his head. 
Half an inch lower would have killed him. He was borne 
back to his quarters and sent North. Brigadier-General 
T. E. G. Ransom succeeded him in conamand. 



140 HISTORY OF THE 

About this time CaptainW. H. Hill, of the Slst Ohio,while 
walking about in the camp of his regiment, received a 
very painful wound in his left hand, which rendered him 
unfit for duty, and he was sent North to hospital. Captain 
W. C. Henry succeeded to the command of the regiment. 

During the advance of General Corse's lines one day, in 
this situation, Corporal Daniel Harpster, Company E, Slst 
Ohio, being on the skirmish line, ran out seventy-five 
yards in advance of his comrades, surprised a picket-post, 
where were intrenched four brawny, big rebels, and boldly 
demanded their surrender. The astonished Johnnies com- 
plied without a word ! As he was about to mnrch them 
to the rear, one of them asked him if they should bring 
their guns along. The anomaly of one man guarding four 
armed men seemed too great, and he directed them to leave 
their guns. They obeyed, and our little Corporal brought 
in those four giants of chivalry, all alone. If every oflScer 
and soldier in the army had always done his part as well 
as Corporal Harpster did on this occasion, the public would 
have had little cause to complain of our military operations. 



EIGHTY -FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 141 



CHAPTER XIY. 



On the 25th of August, Sherman's plans for his grand 
and decisive flank movement around Atlanta, were ma- 
tured. That night Thomas' army, and a portion of the 
Army of the Tennessee, were withdrawn, and moved a 
short distance toward the right. All day of the 26th Gen- 
eral Howard's command lay in nearly a circle, defending 
the then extreme left. The rebels were astonished and 
pleased, but they did not attack ; they supposed General 
Sherman was in full retreat. On the night of the 26th, all 
of General Howard's Army of the Tennessee got fairly 
under way, and withdrew in perfect safety. It was a 
wearisome, hard march, as such night marches always 
were, but it was a relief to the men who had lain a whole 
month behind those hated works, and, weak as many of 
them were, they endured it cheerfully. Two men of the 
81st Ohio, Sergeant James McCann, of Company C, and 
Private Frazer, of Company G,were lost in this movement, 
by lying down beside the road while the regiment made 
a temporary halt, and falling to sleep, did not wake until 
daylight, when they were aroused to be made prisoners. 
A heavy rain storm came up about one or two 
o'clock that night, but it caused no hindrance. 
The different Corps of the Army of the Tennessee moved 
by parallel roads, and by eight o'clock on the 27th, were 
encamped not far from the Sandtown ferry of the Chatta- 
hoochee. Resting here all day, the march was resumed 
on the 28th toward the railroad running from East 
Point to Montgomery, which was reached that night. 
The next day General Ransom, with a portion of 



142 HISTORY OF THE 

his corps, spent the day in destroying the raih^oad 
from the vicinity of Fairburn, southward, flis com- 
mand destroyed about twelve miles effectually. Col- 
onel Adams' Brigade distinguished itself by its rather 
extraordinary destructive abilities in this new field of ac- 
tion. But the pioneer corps of the 2d Division, composed 
mostly of contrabands, did the most effective service, and 
with the most good will. Hitherto these men had been 
employed in building bridges, repairing roads, and such 
work, which seemed to their woolly heads, to be rather 
aiding than injuring the South ; but now, when an oppor- 
tunity came of absolutely tearing up a great highwa}^ of 
rebeldom, their joy knew no bounds, and manifested itself 
in Herculean efforts at overturning long sections of the 
road at once, accompanied with songs and shouts of glad- 
ness. It is supposed that such an amount of labor was 
never before extracted from them in any other undertaking. 

On the 30th of August the troops again moved, the ar- 
rangement of the whole army being such that, as usual, 
the Array of the Tennessee was on the outer flank, and 
did the most marching. This day the progress was much 
hindered by the enemy's cavalry, which, with one or two 
pieces of artillery, kept disputing our advance at every 
defensible point. At one time, one Brigade of infantry 
from General Corse's Division, was sent forward to aid 
General Kilpatrick's cavalry, and, in making a charge, the 
2d and 7th towa regiments lost considerably. The orders 
were for the 16th Corps to reach, that night, a position on 
Flint river, near Jonesboro. Owing to these hindrances, 
and the fact that this Corps had to construct its own road 
for the last eight miles, the last of the command did not 
reach camp until almost daylight. 

A portion of the 15th Corps w^hich had arrived earlier 
the evening before, had crossed Flint river, and had en- 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTKY VOLS. 143 

countered some of the enemy's pickets. Early in the morn- 
ing of the 31st, General Corse's Division of the 16th Corpn 
was moved across and placed in line on the right of the 
15th Corps — Colonel Adams' Brigade joining the 15th 
Corps, and General Rice's Brigade on the right, which ex- 
tended the line nearly to the river. In this position works 
were thrown np. In the meantime. General Sherman had 
arranged a programme for the day's exercises, comprising 
various movements. In the Army of the Tennessee, a 
demonstration was to be made as of an advance, about the 
middle of the afternoon. Other portions of the army were 
to tear np track, etc. But the rebels had their plans laid 
also, and that without consultation with General Sherman. 
The result was that just about the time General Howard 
was to make his demonstrations, the enemy came pouring 
upon the 15th and 16th Corps in an impetuous charge. 
Fierce and sharp was the attack, but Sherman's heroes 
had chosen their ground, and were determined to maintain 
it. The chief point of apprehension was that they would 
outflank us, as they evidently thought they could, on the 
right. To prevent this. General Eansom hurried over a 
Brigade from the 4th Division, and had it in readiness 
for such an emergency. But the rebel line was too short 
to reach beyond our flank, and too weak to jDierce our liv- 
ing wall, so the battle ended with another victory for the 
Eight. Our loss was almost nothing, while the rebel loss 
in killed was counted by hundreds. In front of Colonel 
Adams' Brigade they advanced through an open field, 
where our artillery and musketry poured volleys into their 
ranks, which cut them down by scores. When their line 
retreated, numbers refused to go back, and lay concealed 
until such time as they could rise with safety and surren- 
der. From these prisoners we learned that it was General 
Pat. Cleburne's Division that had been thrown on the rebel 



144 HISTORY OF THE 

left, and which had been so disastrously repulsed by Gen- 
eral Corse's command. 

After the fighting of this day was ended a stray ball 
from a rebel skirmisher flew over into the camp of the 2d 
Brigade, and falling under the fly at Headquarters, 
wounded Colonel Adams slightly. It was not serious 
enough to take him from duty. 

The next day grand preparations were made for a literal 
squeezing together of the rebel army. It was known that 
but about two-thirds of it was at Jonesboro, and General 
Sherman felt able to envelop that army entirely with his 
own. He set the left to the task of driving in the enemy's 
right, and ordered the 17th Corps to our extreme right to 
drive in that flank. The plan was excellent, and General 
Jeff. Davis, of the 14th Corps, won his fame by carrying 
out his part of it successfully ; but others were not so 
quick in their movements, and night came before the 
troops were all in position to make the grand attack. Morn- 
ing of September 2d disclosed to us that the enemy had 
evacuated Jonesboro, and brought rumors that Slocum, 
who had all this time been left at the Chattahoochee 
river with the 20th Corps, had entered Atlanta \ 

The campaign was ended ! For four months this army 
had been in march, bivouac or battle, without intermission. 
Now there would be a rest. 

l!^evertheless the order of that morning was forward ! 
and southward the whole army started in pursuit. The 
enemy was overtaken at Lovejoy's Station, where the rebel 
Corps which had evacuated Atlanta, joined the remainder 
of the Army. General Sherman made a demonstration 
against them, but it was simply for effect. He did not 
wish to risk a general engagement. The 81st Ohio was 
sent out on the skirmish line here, and pressed so vigor- 
ously on the rebels that it lost several in killed and wounded. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 145 

If it had been properly supported its charge would have 
driven the enemy from their works in its front. 

The retrograde march to Atlanta was conducted with 
great care. Strong works were built about a mile in rear 
of the advance line, and manned with the reserves, while 
those in front withdrew under cover of darkness. A tre- 
mendous rain fell the night the movement began, making 
it almost impossible to move artillery or wagons, but nev- 
ertheless the 16th Corps was able to withdraw, shortly 
after daylight of September 6th, from the reserve works, 
and to reach Jonesboro undisturbed. Here the troops re- 
sumed their old positions. The following morning Gen- 
eral Howard's command moved again, reaching Rough and 
Ready that night, and the next day, September 8th, it 
reached East Point, where it was to be stationed. 

The day after the battle of Jonesboro, Private M. R. 
Blizzard, of Company I, was wounded by a rebel ball 
while walking in front of our works. The wound proved 
fatal — the poor fellow died the third day. Young Blizzard 
had endeared himself to all his acquaintances by his quiet, 
manly bearing, and his excellent, soldierly qualities, and 
his death, just at the close of the hard campaign, seemed 
a mysterious dispensation. 

During the progress of the campaign it had been unani- 
mously supposed by officers and men, that after it was 
ended there would be a halt for the winter. Such had been 
the previous practice. Grant took Yicksburg on the 4th 
of July, and his array was furloughed and scattered from 
that time until the following spring. And there had not 
yet been a campaign as severe as this one. Therefore it 
was expected that as a matter of course the attainment of 
the objective point would be the beginning of a winter of 
comparative quiet. But General Sherman had other inten- 
tions, and in this case, as in many others, he did not think 
12 



14<:> HISTORY OP THE • 

it necessary to keep them entirely secret. In his orders 
announcing the fall of Atlanta, and the assignment of the 
three armies to their positions at Decatur, Atlanta and 
East Point, he added that "the troops would now have a 
full rnonth^s rest, preparatory to a fine winter's campaign ! ^' 
Unexpected as this announcement was, and uninviting as 
was the prospect it gave to many, the phrases " full month's 
rest," and " fine winter's campaign " became by-words that 
were provocative of many a good natured smile. 

The 81st Ohio, trusting all things, ordered up the tents 
that had been left at Chattanooga, and having cleaned off a 
camping ground with great labor, pitched their tents and 
made themselves comfortable. 

Just as the army left Atlanta on this final movement, 
the few men of the five old companies who had served three 
years, and who had not re-enlisted, started North to be 
mustered out. They numbered about one hundred and 
fifty, and their withdrawal did not necessarily change the 
oro-anization of the regiment. There were still enough men 
to make a show of ten companies, and it was not till late 
in December that ofiicial notice of their muster out came ; 
and even then only two companies (B and C) were mus- 
tered out entire, that is, lost their existence. The remain- 
ing members of those companies, veterans and recruits, 
w^ere assigned to the other companies of the regiment. 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 147 

CHAPTEE XY. 

THE MARCH FROM ATLANTA TO THE SEA. 

September had not passed until evidences of the begin- 
ning of the -'fine winter's campaign" began to appear. 
The 81st Ohio, with the remainder of General Corse's Di- 
vision, was ordered to Eome, Georgia. One Brigade of that 
Division had been in garrison there ever since its capture 
in May. Here again the 81st pitched tents and hoped to 
abide. But this hope, like most of its predecessors, was 
rudely dispelled, and I believe that here ended the pitch- 
ing of tents and establishment of permanent camps on the 
part of the 81st Ohio. It was to be taught new lessons in war- 
fare ; taught to have no abiding place ; to despise the idle 
soldiers who dwelt in garrisons ; to march as never they 
had marched, and to become invincible, not only in their 
own ej'es, but in the eyes of the world. And what was of 
most consequence to the cause, they were to be taught to 
become irresistible against the enemy. So, at Borne, the 
dear old custom of dwelling in established camps was given 
up by the 81st Ohio forever. 

About this time the command known as the Left Wing 
16th Arni}^ Corps, comprising the 2d and 4th Divisions of 
the Corps, was put out of existence. General Dodge, who 
for so long a time had been its able commander, had not 
yet returned, being kejot away by the effects of his severe 
wound. General Ransom, his successor, the brave, genial, 
gallant Illinoisan, had just died, literally at his post, and 
there was no one to plead for the old command. The un- 
yielding, relentless ax© of military necessity fell, and the 
Left Wing, 16th Army Corps, ceased to be. Its compo- 
nent parts were divided between the 17th and loth Corps. 



148 HISTORY OF THE 

The 4th Division, General Fuller, went to the 17th Corps. 
The 2d Division, General Corse, was assigned to the 15th 
Corps, and its number was changed from 2d to 4th. 

In October, Governor Brough made two appointments 
of field officers for the 81st. Captain W. H. Hill to be 
Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Titus resigned, and Captain W. 
Clay Henry to be Major, vice Chamberlin, resigned. As Col- 
onel Hill was still absent North, in consequenceof the wound 
he received before Atlanta, the command of the regiment re- 
mained wnth Major Henry, who had commanded it since 
some time in August. 

Hood had now fairly begun his great work of forcing 
General Sherman back to Chattanooga. He sent French's 
Division to capture Allatoona, but that officer after fight- 
ino- one of the bloodiest battles of the war, retired, dis- 
comfited by a single Brigade, under the gallant Corse. 
For a time there was much apprehension felt for the result 
of Hood's bold movement. Atlanta was left with a garri- 
son of but a single Division, and the rest of Sherman's 
army was put in motion northward after Hood. General 
Corse's brilliant action at Allatoona proved that it was to 
be no easy task to subdue the men Avho had been the con- 
querors in the four months* battle just ended, and Hood's 
purposes were thwarted. He, however, made an attack at 
Besaca, and actually "repeated history" in an inverted 
manner, by displa-ying precisely the tactics shown by Sher- 
man in May previous. After attacking Resaca he fell back 
to Snake Creek Gap, and occupied the works which we 
had built. But his plans required constant movement, as 
he had no railroad to supply his army, and hence, finding 
that he could effect nothing by attacks along the line of 
the railroad, he deflected westwardJ3^ into Alabama, where, 
after a brief pursuit, Sherman let him go to seek his own 
destruction, while he set about maturing preparations for 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 149 

his " grand march to the sea." In all these movements the 
81st Ohio had remained at Rome, performing garrison duty. 

On the 11th day of November, 1864, at 6 a. m., the 81st 
Ohio left Rome to begin the longest march ever yet at- 
tempted by our army. Passing a few miles beyond King- 
ston, the regiment encamped. The next day the march 
was continued a few miles beyond Allatoona. On the 13th 
it reached Marietta. There were by this time abundant 
evidences that there was to be no backward movement, 
and no communication with the rear. Rome, Kingston, 
Acworth and Marietta were more or less destroyed by tire ; 
the railroad was torn up and surplus stores of our own 
were burned. On the 14th the regiment crossed the Chat- 
tahoochee and bivouacked at Turner's Ferry, and on the 
following day passed through Atlanta, encamping for the 
night four miles south of the city. Many members of the 
regiment took occasion to view again their battle ground, 
the graves of comrades, the works of both parties, the 
dead line, where the pickets waged their incessant warfare, 
and the " pits " in which they had lain for security in the 
time of the " siege." On this day the final destruction of 
Atlanta occurred. The bursting of shell in the depot 
buildings, the burning of the solid blocks in the business 
part of the town, the gratis distribution of clothing, which 
otherwise would have been burned, were all witnessed by 
the regiment; and at night, four miles away, the light of 
the still burning city was sufficient to enable them to read 
letters. The railroad, of course, was all destroyed ; the 
Division train had been loaded with fifteen days' rations 
of hard bread, and eighty of salt. Every soldier who knew 
this fact, knew its significance — that it meant a long march 
without a base of supplies — a march through the enemy's 
country. 

On the 16th of November, the 81st marched twenty-six 
miles, encamping eight miles south -west of Jonesboro. 



150 ' IIISTOllY OF THE 

Passing through McDonongh and Jackson, the regiment 
reached the Ocmulgee river at a point called Ocmulgee 
Mills, and crossed in rear of the 15th Corps, on the 19th. 
Here a cotton factory and grist mill belonging to a bitter 
rebel, originally from the North, were burned. The owner 
stoutly disowned any displeasure, assuring our men that 
with all their vandalism, they could not hurt his pocket. 

On the 21st, the 81st passed through Monticello and en- 
camped a short distance from Hillsborough. The roads 
were in such awful condition from the continuous rain, that 
progress was slow. In the four daj^s ending with the 21st, 
the regiment had marched but about thirty-two miles. 
There had been, however, an abundance of forage and pro- 
visions, and the men were in excellent spirits. 

Following this period of rain and mud, came one of 
cold. On the morning of the 22d of November, ice was 
found a quarter of an inch in thickness. There was hard 
pulling for the teams, and a pontoon train, which marched 
that day before the 81st, stuck in the mud near Clinton, 
about sunset, and froze there, compelling the men to en- 
camp in the road without wood or water. The next day 
the 81st aided the pontoon train out of its frozen condition 
and the roads improving, better time was made. On the 
24th the regiment reached the Macon and Savannah Kail- 
road at Gordon, which place was totally destroyed. This 
place is east of Macon, and south-west of Milledgeville, 
about equi-distant from both. Crossing the railroad, and 
moving south two miles on the Jefferson vi lie road, the 
troops encamped for the rest of the day, only having 
marched about six miles. It was the National Thanksgiv- 
ing Day, and many a thought was turned Northward to 
the good dinners at home, while the boys, so far away, 
were taking their dinners in the bivouac. But there was 
far from a famine there; turkey, chicken, honey, sweet 



EIGHK-FIKST OHIO INFANTKY VOLS. 151 

potatoes, corn cakes and other Southern delicacies graced 
the festal boards of " the conquerors that day. 

On the 25th, the march was resumed on the Irwmton 
road, the 81st passing through that to^vn and burning the 
Court House and other public buildings, and also a lot o 
cotton The next day the Oconee river was reached and 
crossed at Morning Ferry, on a pontoon bridge. Here our 
boys came in sight of growing palms, of wh.ch heretofore 
they had had knowledge only by the fans made from then- 
leaves. Spanish Moss, another familiar article, was here 
seen o-rowing. Here too, they were introduced to he 
Southern swamps ; the land along the Oconee was found o 
be marshy. Emerging from the swampy land before 
night, a country of sand and pine forests was next reached 
Here the boys found abundance of pea nuts, just ready to 

^""oTthe 28th and 29th, Col. Adams' Brigade of General 
Corse's Division, enjoyed the luxury of getting lost 
Being in advance of the Corps, Colonel Adams followed 
General Corse, who was following General Howard. The 
latter officer led them all astray. At night of the 28th 
they were fifteen miles away from the rest of the army, 
having passed all day through the most God-forsaken 
country they had yet seen. The whole route -as through 
an immense pine forest with a swamp every mile of the 
way. The next day the troops moved through the same 
kind of country; the swamps are said to be the source 
of the Ohoopee river. This day they succeeded m getting 
on the right road, and in getting near other troops. These 
two days' march were made mostly in Johnson and Eman- 
uel counties. The same unbroken pine forest continued 
through the next day's march, on which, the town of 
Somerville was passed. At night the regiment encamped 
not far from Herndon. December 1st they moved a few 



152 HISTORY OF THE 

miles down the Ogeechee river and encamped near Millen. 
On the 2d and 3d a part of the Division operated on the 
railroad near Scarboro, and the 81st acted as a support. 
Here the first defensive works of this campaign were con- 
structed. On the 4th the regiment moved south fifteen 
miles over good roads, and through finer country than it 
had passed since leaving Gordon, and encamped opposite 
Cameron. The 17th Corps was moving down on the left 
bank of the river, and became engaged with the enemy. 
The sound of their cannonading was distinctly heard by the 
15th Corps. On the 6th the regiment encamped about 
thirty-five miles from Savannah. The country was of the 
best in the south, and the scenery such as the northern 
soldiers had never seen. " Live Oaks" in their evergreen 
beauty were abundant, and in addition to their foliage, the 
boughs of all the trees were gracefully festooned by the 
^'Spanish Moss." In the midst of this wealth of natural 
loveliness, the red blossom of War was to re-appear to our 
heroes who had hitherto had a bloodless march. 

On the 7th the regiment moved to a point opposite Eden, 
on the Savannah Eailroad. The 1st Brigade of Gen. Corse's 
Division crossed the river and found a force of the enemy 
in theirfront. The gallant 2d Iowa charged andtooka line 
of their works, capturing twenty-eight of their men. Its loss 
was two killed and five wounded. On the 8th the whole 
Division moved without supply train, but with two days' 
rations in their haversacks. They crossed the river, struck 
the railroad at Eden, and then moved south until they 
reached the Ogeechee Canal, near the Big Ogeechee river. 

On the next day the Second Brigade was ordered to 
advance on the enemy, who occupied a well fortified 
position between the two Ogeechee rivers. The G6th 
Illinois was deployed as skirmishers, and the Brigade 
moved, coming upon the rebel works which were defended 



EIGHTY-FIEST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 153 

by a section of artillery. A charge was made resulting in 
the capture of one piece of artillery and a number of 
prisoners, and in driving the remainder until night. In 
this action, our loss was slight, the 81st Ohio losing none, 
the 66th and 12th Illinois each lost four men wounded. 
The enemy numbered about fifteen hundred, and had every 
advantage of position and works, but they were driven 
from them by the first efforts of our skirmish line. The 
same day the Brigade captured a train on the Savannah 
and Grulf Railroad with the President of the road and other 
passengers. The train was heard coming out from Savan- 
nah when it was a considerable distance away. Three 
mounted men were immediately dispatched to disj)lace a 
rail in advance of the engine. They succeeded in doing 
their work ; the train came on in front of the Brigade, 
whereupon a loose fire was opened upon it, which only 
served to increase the speed. Soon the engineer saw the 
break in the track and thinking to escape by running 
back into Savannah, he reversed and started back. The 
Brigade was too far away to prevent him by its fire, and 
he would have succeeded, but for the thoughtfulness of ^ 
soldier who happened to find a citizen's mule team near a 
road crossing. He drove the wagon on the track and shot 
the mules, forming a complete blockade. By the time the 
train reached this, re-inforcements came up and the train 
was a prize. Colonel Adams made prisoners of the male 
passengers, gallantly released the ladies unconditionall}', 
and burned the cars. 

Picket and slight reconnoisances occupied the time front 
the 9th until the 13th of December, on which day the 81st 
was ordered to take up a position and fortify. Moving out 
to the place designated, it was found to be but about seven 
hundred yards from one of the enemy's large forts. The 
enemy discovered the movement and threw shells. One 
of them struck Private Fletcher B. Haynes. Company C, 
13 



154 HISTORY OF THE 

on the slioiildor and back, inflicting a wound of which he 
died on the 18th. This was the only loss sustained by the 
regiment in the whole campaign. On this day General 
Hazen opened communication with the fleet in Ossabaw 
Sound by the capture of Fort McAllister. Kepeated efl'orts 
were made by Colonel Adams to find a crossing of the 
Little Ogeechee, which indeed, was a desirable object, as 
the enemy held the opposite side. On the night of the 
13th, Companies E. and F. were detailed as a sort of forlorn 
hope to make the crossing at the Railroad Bridge. They 
found the bridge burning, and attempted to stop the flames, 
but after a number of them had gone on the bridge, a party 
of rebels on the opposite bank fired a volley into them 
which did no harm. The men of these companies then 
fell back behind the abutment, and thus, not more than 
thirty yards from the rebels, kept up a fire until they were 
able to get away unperceived. 

From about the 12th of December, the troops began to 
feel the want of sufticient sujiplies. Lying as they did in 
close proximity, and in a country nearly covered with 
water, it was found to be impossible to keep the commis- 
sariat as full as when marching through a plenteous 
country. Corn meal was the sole article of food for several 
days, and after that, unhulled rice was the simple diet of 
the army for nearly a week. Although General Hazen 
had opened communication on the 13th, and the soldiers 
had evidence of it in the very welcome mail that began 
to arrive on the 16th, yet owing to the difficulties of 
transportation in that tide and swamp covered country, it 
was impossible to bring up supplies. No wonder then 
that the troops looked anxiously forward to the capture of 
Savannah. 

At 9 P. M. of the 19th, Lieutenant Pittman with ten 
men, sucecded in eftccting a crossing of the Little Ogeechee. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 155 

The boat he used — the only one that could be found — was 
brought to him that night by Captain McCain, assisted by 
Sergeant Charles Brennan, Corporal William L. Ward and 
Private Jamison Mayberry, of Company E, and Private 
William E. Walker, of Company H, who had volunteered 
to take the terrible risk of floating in it a mile and a half 
down the Ogeechee river, between the Rebel and Union 
picket lines, passing so near a rebel fort as to be able to 
hear distinctly their conversation. But, by good fortune, 
the daring little party passed in safety, and brought the 
much needed boat to Lieutenant Pittman. He explored 
the ground — Sergeant Mason and two men actually get- 
ting in rear of the enemy — and reported that a crossing 
by a force could easily be made. On receiving Lieutenant 
Pittman's report. Colonel Adams desired to cross with his 
Brigade, but General Osterhaus would not permit it. 

On the morning of the 21st of December, the 81st Ohio, 
with the rest of the Brigade, had the extreme satisfaction 
of marching into the city of Savannah. General Hardee 
had, during the previous night, evacuated the place, 
leaving large amounts of munitions of war to fall into our 
hands. Thus was ended successfully, Sherman's grand 
march '' from Atlanta to the Sea" — a march which will 
ever be memorable in history as the boldest and most 
extraordinary on record. Well may the veterans wiio 
composed that army, lift their heads in just pride in recol- 
lection of the part they took in this famous march. 

The 81st Ohio in this campaign, marched over three 
hundred miles, starting from Rome. It was entirely with- 
out communication with the North from the 14th of Novem- 
ber until the 16th of December. There were, in this time, 
about twenty-five marching days, averaging nearly fifteen 
miles a day, yet in all this time, there was no loss, except 
one, mortally wounded before Savannah, on the 13th of 
December. 



156 HISTORY OF THE 

On the 23d of December, the regiment went into camp 
on the Thunderbolt Road, near the city, and the next day, 
the 15th Army Corps was reviewed in the city, by General 
Sherman. It w^as a triumphal march — a stinging eye-sore 
to the resident rebels who from their closed w^indows stole 
views of their hated conquerors. 

Now came a brief season of rest. From the fatigue of 
the march, and the starving of the last few days before 
communication was fully established. Savannah was a 
welcome resting place. In addition to the full fare granted 
by a liberal " Uncle Sam," the boys had such feasts 
of oysters and fresh fish as many of them had never 
dreamed of. Supplies of clothing were issued, long letters 
were written home, telling each to an interested group 
away North, how the writer bore his part in the " great 
march," and every arriving vessel- brought rich, full mail 
sacks that were as good as gold to these far off soldiers. So 
the time wore on : fatigue duty now and then in building 
new defenses to the city; absolute rest for many days, 
another review on the 7th of January, and finally, on the 
17th, the portentous order to be ready to move at a 
moment's notice. 

On the 8th of January, General Logan resumed command 
of the 15th Corps. He had a leave of absence after the 
fall of Atlanta, and did not re-join the army before Sherman 
broke loose from his communications ; so he had to sail to 
Savannah to meet his command. General Osterhaus com- 
manded the Corps during the march. 



BIGHTY-FIBST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 157 



CHAPTEK XTI. 

THROUGH THE CAROLINAS TO PEACE. 

On the 19th of January, 1865, the 81st Ohio moved from 
Savannah,crossingtheSavannahriver onyontoons toHutch- • 
inson's Mand, but owing to the unprecedented rain it was 
found impossible to proceed in that direction, and the reg- 
iment returned to its old quarters the same day. Ram 
fell for several days, and the movement seemed indefinitely 
delayed. However, on the 28th of January, the 81st Ohio 
-the last regiment of Sherman's array in the city-moved 
out and marched to near Eden. In the next two days he 
march was continued northward, and the regiment, at the 
end of that time, reached Sister's Ferry, on the Savannah 

'■'on the evening of February 4th, the regiment crossed 
the Savannah riv;r into South Carolina at Sister's Ferry. 
The event of entering upon the sacred soil of South Caro- 
lina was signalized by the army in a way that showed how 
they appreciated the active part that State had taken m 
the inauguration of secession and civil war. Every man 
seemed to foreknow that the day of retribution had come 
and that this army was to be the avenging instrument. 
As the regiments set foot on the soil of the Palmetto State, 
they began cheering long and loud, and kept it up contin- 
uously for several hours. If the spirit of Treason could have 
heard that shout, it would certainly have known that it 
was its death-knell. 

The beginning of this march presented difficulties which 
crew and continued almost throughout its entire length. 
The Savannah campaign had been made with scarcely any 
ovo-anized enemy to hinder the march ; but here, m addi- 



158 HISTORY OF THE 

tion to the natural obstacles, the collected forces of the 
now bisected Confederacy^ were at hand to take possession 
of every river and other defensible position in the country. 
But this was the least of Sherman's troubles. The route 
was over a country which the rebel Generals have since 
declared they believed to be impracticable for an army to 
pass. Evidences of this came with the first day's march. 
Heav}^ details were made to build corduroy roads through 
the swamp, and at night the men encamped but a few 
miles from their starting place, wearied Avith the heavy 
labor. The enemy's cavalry was watchful, too, and picked 
off whatever stragglers they could find. They took no 
prisoners. On the 6th, the mounted foragers of Colonel 
Adams' Brigade came upon two murdered soldiers belong- 
ing to the 20th Army Corps. 

Having passed through Robertsville,the regiment reached 
Hickory Hill P. O., on the 7th, and crossed there a swamp of 
one mile in width, dignified by the name of Coosawatchie 
river. On the 9th the regiment reached the Salkehatchie 
river, at River's Bridge, where Generals Mower and Smith, 
with their Divisions of the 17th Corps, made a charge 
through water waist deep, and drove the enemy from their 
position. On the 10th of February better roads were 
reached, and on the smooth table-land a march of twenty- 
two miles was made, the regiment passing Buford's Bridge. 
The whole army was now concentrated along the Charles- 
ton and Augusta Eailroad, which was effectually destroj^ed. 

Taking the Orangeburg road, on the 11th, the regiment 
again made a good march, still on the table-lands, and cross- 
ed the South Edisto river at Benaker's Bridge. On the 12th, 
they reached the North Edisto river, where the enemy 
was posted to dispute the crossing; but the next morning 
a skirmish line cleared the way, and the troops crossed 
about three miles from Orangeburg. Taking the main 



EieHTY-FIKST OHIO INFANTEY VOLS. 159 

Columbia road, the regiment marched eighteen miles 
through a "tar aud turpentine" region, encamping at 
St at Little Beaver Creek. On the 15th, the regiment 
reached Congaree Creek, where the e"«™y ««"t«f ^^ ^he 
crossing of tSe advance of the Corps. Th,s ^va.s but five 
miles from Columbia. 

On the 16th, the Congaree being crossed, the whole 
Corps moved across the plain in fall view of tbe c.ty, and 
formed line of battle, the right resting on the Congaree 
River, and the left on the Saluda. Considerable skirmish- 
ing and shelling ensued, but the main line did not become 
engaged. On the next day the city was formally surren- 
dered by the Mayor. 

After passing through Columbia, there were several 
days of destruction ot railroad and of slow and circuitous 
inarchin-. On the 24th, Colonel Adams was sent with 
his Brigade, with instructions to take Camden and destroy 
public property there. Not long after leaving the mam 
column, he encountered some of the enemy's cavalry, 
which he steadily drove for a distance of five miles. Ono 
company of cavalry was assigned to him, which he used 
to protect his flanks. By a little rashness of theirs, fourteen 
of these were captured by the enemy. Throwing forward 
a heavy skirmish line, supported by the 12th Illinois 
Colonel Adams placed the 66th Illinois in reserve, and 
sent the 81st Ohio on another road for the purpose of 
preventing an attack in the rear. By this time the enemy 
had taken a position in his front, behind a barricade on 
" Hobkirk's Hill," of Revolutionary interest. Having all 
things ready. Colonel Adams ordered forward I and, after 
skirmishing a short time, a charge, which was gallantly 
and successfully made. Gaining the hill, he contmned 
the charge, now turned into a pursuit, through the streets 
of the town, capturing twelve of the enemy and re-cap- 
turing the fourteen cavalry men who bad been lost that 



160 HISTORY OF THE 

(lay. Even the citizens were armed, and fired at the 
troojos as they entered the town. He immediately began 
the work of destruction, burning a lai'ge depot of commis- 
sary stores, consisting of flour, meal, bacon, sugar, &c. 
He also committed to the tender mercies of the flames two 
thousand bales of cotton and other j^i'operty. Colonel 
Adams' command found plenty of good cheer, and the 
inhabitants made lavish offers of good things to eat and 
drink, which the hungry soldiers accepted, asking no 
questions. Leaving Camden that night, the Brigade 
joined the main column the next da}^. 

On the 25th, the regiment encamped at " Pine Tree 
Meeting House," on Little Lynch's Creek. The next 
day they marched to Tiller's Bridge, where a crossing was 
made. The stream was nearly a mile wide, and was rising 
so that the trains could not cross. The troops, however, 
wi'ded ovev, enjoying many a hearty laugh as the mounted 
( ificers were thrown headlong from their horses into the 
water. 

On this day, the mounted foragers of the 2d Brigade 
were in a sharp skirmish. About five hundred rebel cav- 
alry attacked them as they were returning across Lyneh's 
Creek with their wagons loaded with forage. Making a 
stubborn defense, they saved the wagons, although they 
had a hand to hand struggle. Corporal Eh'jah Davis, 
Company I, 81st Ohio, received five sabre cuts about the 
head. Our boys were opportunely re-enforced by the 
foragers of the 1st and 3d Brigades, and the rebels were 
driven off with the loss of sixteen killed and some prisoners. 

The bridging of this stream required some time, and it 
Avas not until March 1st that the trains had crossed, and 
the movement was continued. The regiment moved but 
eight miles, and encamped on Black Creek. On the 2d, 
the regiment did not move. General Howard retaining it as 
a guard for his Head Quarters, but on the 3d, it marched 



EIGHTY-PIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 



161 



twenty miles on the Chera%Y road, encamping at Thouip- 
Bon's Creek. The next day it went into camp on he 
Pedee River, one mile from Cheraw. On the bth, he 
regiment moved through Cheraw, halting a wlnle m the 
streets. There had been, daring the previous day or two, 
a large amount of ammunition and powder thrown mto 
ditcl>es, and other places where it could he des ro>_ed. 
A large quantity, it seems, was thrown into one gully and 
was not yet dampened. Near it small quantities of loose 
powder were lying on the ground, which the soid.ers were 
burning for their amusement. By some means the laige 
quantity was ignited, aud there was a tremendous ex- 
plosion. 

Suro-eon W. 0. Jacobs thus writes of it: 

wt ^h?r r ct^he/i: deTht;'t' ^&nk| 

Corporal Vyman, of the same company, had a leg frac- 
S It is estimated that at least three tons of powder 
were consumed in the explosion. Not a wmdow was left 
unbroken in the town." 

On the 7th of March, the regiment moved on the Fay- 
etteviUe road ten miles, and encamped at Goodwin s Mi Is 
The next day the regiment passed through a l'tt^« ^ow" 
called Springtield, and soon after crossed the l-ej^«~ 
North and South Carolina. As soon as the old Noith 
State was entered, guards were placed at each house as 
the column passed, with strict instructions to allow no 
one whatever to enter, hut soldiers were not prohibited 
from taking provisions from out-houses. This was m 
deference to the supposed loyalty of these people. 

On the 9th, there was a harassing and wearisome march 
throu-h rain and mud. Laurel Hill was passed, and so 



162 HISTORY OF THE 

muddy were the roads, that when night overtook the 
trains^ they found it impossible to proceed, and so, corralled 
in the road or alongside, wherever they could find the 
ground solid enough to keep them from sinking out of 
sight. The next day. Lumber River was crossed, and the 
Brigade went into camp early, sending the 12th Illinois 
forward to repair road. Wretched as were the roads and 
the weather, yet, as the troops knew they were marching 
toward the North and toward communications with the 
" cracker line," as well as with their friends at home, they 
performed the heaviest labor with great cheerfulness. 
Eealizing the necessity of the work, they felt and mani- 
fested a pride in being equal to the great occasion. 

On the 11th, the regiment moved over about sixteen 
miles, eleven of which were corduroy. The whole surface 
of the country seemed to be covered with water. This 
road is said to be the same that G-eneral Greene made in 
1776. Encain])cd on Little Fish Creek, thirteen miles 
from Fayetteville. On the 12th, a march of fourteen miles 
brought the regiment to its camping place pear Fayette- 
ville. Here supplies were received, and New York papers 
of the 6th, containing much news of great interest from 
the outer world. 

On the 15th, the regiment moved in the direction of 
Goldsboro', reaching South Kiver, where the 7th Iowa and 
Battery H, First Missouri Light Artillery had a slight 
engagement with the enemy, who disputed the crossing 
with a small force and one piece of artillery. On the next 
day the 81st Ohio had the advance of the whole Corps. 
Crossing South River, they had advanced but a few miles 
over miserable roads, until they encountered the enemy, 
and a spirited skirmish ensued. As soon, however, as 
Battery '' H " opened, the enemj^ left. Corporal Samuel 
T. Wiley, 81st Ohio, was wounded in the knee, which was 
the only damage sustained by the regiment. Encamped 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 163 

that night at Bay's Church. On the 17th, a short march 
was made to Beaman's Cross Roads. The next day the 
regiment moved to a point within 28 miles of Goldsboro 
passing through a very abundant country-a state ot 
affairs highly acceptable to the men. as the scanty sup- 
ply of rations received at Fayetteville was already ex- 
hausted. 

The 19th of March was a battle day. Johnston had con- 
centrated his forces with the bold attempt of thwarting Gen . 
Sherman and impeding his march. General Slocum en- 
countered him first, and the heavy and rapid cannonading 
told that it was no mere skirmish. There was a rapid 
concentration of General Sherman's forces. Passing -Fall- 
ing Creek Church, the regiment marched until 10 P. M., 
and then threw up a line of works. The whole Corps 
was encamped that night in line of battle. The enemy 
had during the day, made several bold but unsuccessful 
charges on Slocum. On the 20th, the whole line moved, 
so that before night. General Sherman's army was in a 
semi-circular line completely enveloping Johnston, except 
his rear, which was cut off by the I^euse Kiver. The left 
of the army, consisting of the 14th Army Corps, joined 
on the Neuse, above BentonviUe, while the 17th Army 
Corps touched the river below, and the 15th and 20th were 
in close connection between. Thus Johnston was put upon 
the defensive, and as Schofield and Terry were coming 
up, it was hoped he would soon be completely surrounded. 
On the 21st, the lines of the 4th Division, 15th Corps, 
were advanced four hundred yards, to near Mill Creek, 
and new works were thrown up, under heavy fire from the 
enemy. Here, Robert McDill, Company I, was wounded 
in the knee, requiring amputation. Heavy skirmish firing 
continued until after dark. First Sergeant John M. 
Henness was slightly wounded in the arm, and Privates 
Finical and Rurwell, of Company K., were badly wounded, 



164 HISTORY OF THE 

while in the trenches, by an accidental shot Ironi a gun in 
the hands of one of their comrades. The loss in the Brigade 
was two killed and ten wounded. During the night of 
the 21st, the enemy evacuated their works and crossed the 
Neuse. 

On the 22d, General Sherman issued the following con- 
gratulatory order : 

Head Quakters, Military Division of the Mississippi,) 
In the Field near Bentonville, N. C, March 22, 1865. )" 

The Commanding General announces to this Army that 
yesterday it beat on its chosen ground the concentrated 
armies of our enemy, who has tied in disorder, leaving his 
dead, wounded and prisoners in our hands, and burning 
the bridge in his rear. 

On the same day. Major General Schofield, from New- 
bern, entered and occupied Goldsboro, and Major General 
Terry, from Wilmington, secured Cox's Bridge crossing, 
and laid a pontoon bridge across N'euse Biver. So that 
our campaign has resulted in a glorious success, after a 
march of the most extraordinary character, of near five 
hundred miles over swamps and rivers deemed impassable 
to otliers, at the most inclement season of the year, and 
drawing our chief supplies from a poor and wasted coun- 
try. 

I thank the army, and assure it that our Government 
and people honor them for this new display of the phys- 
ical and moral qualities which reflect honor upon the 
whole nation. 

You shall now have rest, and all the supplies that can 
be brought from the rich granaries and storehouses of our 
magnificent country, before again embarking on new and 
untried dangers. W. T. Sherman, 

Major General Commanding 

On the 24th, the Army of the Tennessee reached Golds- 
boro, passing in review through the town. Perhaps there 
never was a review like this one. The men were just from 
their unparalleled march of five hundred miles, and were 
in all kinds of uniform and want of uniform. Man}^ 
were without shoes, hats, coats, and some wore pants all 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 1^5 

too short In the 81st Ohio, the shoeless and hatless men 
were all placed in one company, and in this manner passed 
in review before Sherman, Schofield, Terry, Howard and 
Lo-an, with more pride than their more fortunate com- 
rades who wore shoes and hats. The army encamped 
near the city, and, of course, constructed defensive works. 
In the brief rest which followed, rations soon made their 
appearance, and mail came again, gladdening the hearts 
of the soldiers. With the first mail came a number ot 
commissions for officers and men of the 81st Ohio. Ab- 
sentees and recruits here joined the regiment, coming 
around by way of New York. 

The 81st Ohio, although but a fraction of a regiment tor 
more than a year in the beginning of its existence, had 
the good fortune, in 1862 to receive more recruits than 
almost any other regiment in the service. Again, m 1864, 
enough recruits were obtained to keep up the waste so 
far and now, in 1865, such a large number was obtained, 
that two entire new companies were formed, besides 
furnishing some men to the old companies. The two new 
companies were designated B and C, and filled the gap 
which had existed since the muster out of those companies 
in 1864. The raising of these last recruits was due mainly 
to the untiring energy of Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Hill, 
who, being compelled to remain North during all the fall 
and winter, in consequence of his wound, and of 
the impossibility of reaching the army, devoted his atten- 
tion to securing as many recruits as possible for the regi- 
ment. When these recruits joined the regiment it was 
again swelled to a size unlike any other regiments in the 
field and was able to show fuller ranks at the end ot the 
war than almost any other four years' regiment suffering 
as many losses. 

On the 10th of April, the regiment marched toward 
Raleigh, going the first day as far as Pikeville. It was a 



166 HISTORY OF THE 

day, or rather a night, long to be remembered. The roads 
were in a wretched condition, and Colonel Adams' Brigade 
was in charge of the train, with instructions to bring it 
into camp before stopj^ing. The men were nearly all 
detailed to aid the sinking wagons, and to repair the 
roads. Night came, and still the train was a long distance 
behind. Colonel Adams reported the state of affairs, with 
a view to getting orders to encamp and rest, but he re- 
ceived positive orders to bring the train into Pikeville. 
He dispatched orderlies to hurry up the command, while 
he and a portion of his staff and escort went a short 
distance ahead, and built fires to light the way. While 
one of these orderlies was returning, he was killed by 
some rebel cavalry that were prowling along the way. 
Another was captured, but afterward made his escape. It 
was afterward ascertained that Wheeler's cavalry com- 
mand, was but a short distance away, and was only 
prevented from falling on the train through ignorance of 
their opportunity^ It was one o'clock before the train 
was pulled through, and the men laid down to rest. 

On the 11th of April, the regiment reached Saucer-eye 
Creek, and on the next day, at Lowell's, heard of the sur- 
render of Lee's army. That night it encamped near Cedar 
Town. On the 13th, it crossed Neuse Eiver, and on the 
14th passed through Ealeigh and went into camp. The 
following day it marched to Morrisville, where it lay until 
the 21st, while General Sherman was negotiating with 
Johnston, and then marched back to Raleigh. 

* >l< >I^ >t< >[c ^^ ^K ^ :i< 

The work was done ! the long agony over ! the War was 
ended ! But no pen can tell the feeling of joy and triumph 
that flooded every heart in the army, as the war-worn 
soldiers looked forward to Peace and Home. In all this 
army there was not a man wlio did not justly feel that he 
had performed a hero's part in the closing acts of the war. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 167 

Marching victoriously from Atlanta to the Sea, and through 
the Carolinas to Peace, they had challenged the admiration 
of the world, and had achieved distinction in all future 
history. It was fitting that such grand achievements 
should culminate in so desirable a result as the utter 
overthrow of the Eebellion ; and though the glad song of 
triumph and victory was hushed by the sad story of the 
foul murder of him who had been their leading star ot 
hope and promise through all these years of conflict, it 
had but sanctified their work, and proved beyond all 
doubt, that the Treason they had just crushed was the 
sum of all crimes. By the assassination of President 
Lincoln the army was made to see how intimately he had 
been connected with them in the struggle, and how his 
blood was now mingled with that of the hosts who during-^ 
the war had given their lives as the price of the unity oi 
our G-overnment. 

" Through our night of bloody struggle, 

Ever dauntless, firm and true, 
Bravely, gently forth he led us. 

Till the morn burst on our view- 
Till he saw the day of triumph, 

Saw the field our heroes won ; 
Then his honored life was ended, 

Then his glorious work was done." 

There is little more to write. The war being ended, 
there was no more thought of campaigning. The 29th of 
April had become a historic day with the 81st Ohio. ^ In 
1862, on that day was commenced the march from Pitts- 
burg Landing, on the Corinth Campaign. In 1864, on 
that day, the regiment started from Pulaski, Tennessee, 
on the Atlanta campaign; and now, in 1865, on the 29th 
of April, the 81st started on its " homeward " march. No 
need to recall the incidents of this march. There was no 
war, and no foraging-no guards on the look out for an 
enemy, no burning offences; it was simply a race to see 



168 HISTORY OF THE 

what Corps should march to Washington first. The 81st 
Ohio reached its camp near Washington on the 20th of 
May. The next three days were sjDent in preparation 
for the grand review. On the 24th, this grandest of military 
pageants was seen in Washington. On that day Sherman's 
army was reviewed. It is said by good authority that 
never before did the gallant old 81st make so fine an ap- 
pearance as on this, the last great field day. With steady 
step, and firm straight forward look, the men marched" 
with such regular lines as to challenge again and again, 
the admiration of the crowds who thronged the streets, 
and who expressed their appreciation by repeated cheers. 

Early in June the regiment started to Louisville, going 
by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to Parkersburgh, 
thence by the Ohio River. Encamping at Woodlawn 
near the city, the boys enjoyed themselves as best they 
could, until at last, came the welcome order to muster the 
regiment out of the service. This work was completed on 
the 13tli of July, and the regiment immediately started to 
Camp Dennison to be paid and discharged. On the 21st 
of July this last act was completed, and the 81st Ohio was 
no more. 

Thus we have followed the fortunes of this regiment from 
its first scouting over the prairies of Missouri ; through its 
bloody baptism at Shiioh ; its march into Mississippi ; its 
participation in the battles of luka and Corinth; its garri- 
son duty at the latter place; its march into Northern Ala- 
bama; its brief stay at Pocahontas; its march to Pulaski, 
and duty there ; its deeds and privations in the historic 
Atlanta campaign ; its march to Rome ; its journey to the 
sea; and, finally, its march from Savannah to Raleigh, 
Washington, Louisville and Camp Dennison, whence each 
man went his way to his home, a citizen. It may be truly 
said that in all these scenes and actions, the 81st ever bore 
an honorable part. No stain rests upon the courage or 
devotedness of the men whose deeds are here recorded. 



EIGHTY -FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS. 169 



CHAPTER XYII. 

THE RANK AND TILE OF THE EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO. 

In the following pages are given the names of all the 
oflScers and enlisted men ever connected with the regiment, 
so far as it has been possible to obtain them. The records 
of Captain Kinsell's and Captain Hughes' companies could 
not be found, and hence some names of those who died or 
were discharged from these companies, before the consoli- 
dation in 1862, do not appear. 

In the list of casualties no names of deserters are eriven. 
There were but twenty-three of them in the regiment 
during its entire term of nearly four years' service, exclu- 
sive of those in tlie t'^o companies organized in 1865. It 
was not thought best to mar this Record of the gallant 
and faithful 7nany by placing on it the names and crime of 
the cowardly and recreant few. 

It will be observed that the record of companies P, E, 
F and K are not so full as that of the others. If any 
member of these companies feels aggrieved by the omis- 
sion of any part of his military history, he must cast the 
blame where it belongs. Every effort was made to o|:)tain 
the necessary facts from those companies, but without suc- 
cess ; and finally I was compelled to resort to the muster- 
out rolls. 



14 



170 HISTORY OF THE 



OFJFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF 
THE FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Thomas Morton, ajjpointed Aug. 19, '61 ; re- 
signed July 30, 1864. 

Colonel Robert N. Adams, promoted from Lieutenant- 
Colonel, Aug. 12, 1864; appointed Erevet Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, to date from Mar. 13, '65; mustered out with the reg- 
iment July 13, '65. 

Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Turley, appointed Aug, 

19, '61 ; resigned Dec. 1, '61. 

Lieutenant Colonel R. N. Adams, promoted from Cap- 
tain May 7, *62 ; promoted as above. 

Lieutenant-Colonel James W. Titus, promoted from Cap- 
tian Aug. 21, *64 ; resigned Sept. 8, '64. 

Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Hill, promoted from Captain 
Apr. 22, '65 ; mustered out with the regiment. 

Major Charles N. Lamison, appointed Aug. 19, '61 ; re- 
signed Apr. 22, '62. 

Major Frank Evans, promoted from Adjutant May 18, 
'62 ; resigned June 27, '64. 

Major William H. Chamberlin, promoted from Cap- 
tain Aug. 12, '64 ; resigned Sept. 15, '64. 

Major'WiLLiAM C. Henry, promoted from Captain Nov: 
1, '64; mustered out with the regiment. 

Surgeon William H. Lamme^ ajDpointed Nov. 27, '61 ; 
resigned Mar. 31, '62. 

Surgeon Robert Gr. McLean, promoted from Assistant 
Surgeon Mar. 31, '62; resigned Nov. 6, '62. 

Siirgeon William C. Jacobs, appointed Dec. 23, '62 ; 
mustered out with the regiment. 

Assistant Surgeon Robert Gr. McLean, appointed Nov. 

20, '61 ; promoted as above. 

Assistant Surgeon John Whittaker, appointed Aug. 
19, '62; resigned Nov. 11, '64. 

Assistant Surgeon Hiram SHAFFER,appointed Mar. 19, '63; 
mustered out on expiration of term of service, Aug.24,'64. 

Chaplain James Young, appointed Feb. 11, '63 ; resigned 
Dec. 26, '63. 

Adjutant Frank Evans, appointed Aug. 19, '61 ; jn-o- 
moted as above. 

Adjutant John R. Hunt, appointed Sept. 9, '62 ; resigned 
Sept. 24, '64. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY YOLS-FIFLD AND STAFF. 171 

Adiutant Cornelius C. Platter, promoted from 2d 
LitSnt and appointed A^J^tant Noy 64 promoted 
tA rqntaiii and assigned to Company 1) Wai. ^», bO. 

Ad ut^t William B. Eush, promoted from Sergeant- 
a4or and appointed Adjutant Mar. 28, '65; mustered out 

■with, the regiment. . , , . t n ^nt 

Quartern?aster Samuel E. Adams, appointed Aug. 19, 61; 
mvTstered out on expiration of term of service, Aug, 18, 

^^otiartermaster W. A. Johnson, promoted from 2d Lieu- 
tenant June 27, '64 ; promoted to Captain and assigned to 

'TSJrmaSloHN N. Ha.s, promoted ^om Quarter- 
master Sergeant Mar. 26, '65; appointed Quartermaster 
Anr 25, 65 ; mustered out witli tlie regiment 
%on.commissioned Staff Tumtered o^ '^^\*''^^^f Xar 
h,hi 13 1865 —Sergeant-Major Chakles W. Fogle , Quai- 
termaster Sergeant John T. Collier; Hospital Steward 
Charles Shock; Principal Musicians John H- Bxieltel 
and William N. Miller; Commissary-Sergeant Joseph S. 
Campbell. 

Casualties in Non-eommissioned Staff. 
D(e(2._GE0RGE K. Hagerman, Principal Musician, at 
Columbia South Carolina, Feb. 17, '65. 

DS^^ar'qed to accept Promoft-on.-Sergeant-M.yors-- John 
R Chamberlin, promoted to 2d Lieutenant Apr. 29, 63 
discharged on account of physical disability Apl^ 6, 64 ; 
William Pittman, promoted to 2d Lieutenant June 20 
1864 • William M. Murphy, promoted to 2d Lieutenant 
Auo-'lS '64; William B. Rush, promoted to Ist Lieuten- 
tnt^Mar 26, '65 ; Sumner F. Mason, promoted to 2cl Lieu- 
fpnnnt Mav 24 -'65. Commissary-Sergeant C. B. Van 
"promoted to Quartermaster-irgeant Mar. 26, 1865 
Quar ermaster-Serg'ts-CoRNELius C. Platter, promoted 
to 2d Lieutenant June 27, '64; Thomas J. H.«baugh, pro- 
moted to 2d Lieutenant Aug. 19, '64 ; John N. Hays, pro- 
moted to 1st Lieutenant Mar. 26 '65, Corwin B. Van 
Pelt, promoted to 2d Lieutenant May 24, 65. 

liliarqed upon Expiration of Term o/ &mod^Ho.spital 
Stewards-DAViD W. Lamme, Dee. 12, '64, and William D. 
StwiTens May 25, '65. Principal Musicians-RicHARD 
? A.xox 6c7 7 '64 and Asbury L. Stephens, May 26. '65. 



172 H [STORY OF THE 

J)iscliarqed for Blsahility . — Quarterraastcr-Scrgeant Wal- 
ker W. McClain, Feb. 17, '62, and Commissary-Sergeant 
Andrew B. Boggs; place and date not known. 

No Record Found. — Commissary-Sergeant P. B. Ayers. 

Eeturned to Company. — Commissary-Sergeant Davis E. 
James, May, 1864. 

OBIGINAL MEMBERS OF COMPANY" A, 81ST OHIO, OR- 
GANIZED AT LIMA, ALLEN COUNTY, OHIO, SEPTEM- 
BER, 1862, BY CAPTAIN W. H. HILL. 

Captain William H. Hill, First Lieutenant David S. 
Van Pelt, Second Lieutenant Timothy Shaffer. 

Sergeants. — First Sergeant Adam C. Post; Joseph H. 
Harbison, Charles W. Fogle, George W. Enboden, Theo- 
dore G. McDonald. 

Corporals. — William P. DeHart, William A. J. Moorman, 
William M. Lochhead, Richard W. Vance, Fielding Ton- 
o-uet, John Hill, William Adams, Samuel Martin. 
^ Musicians. — William Miller, Hervey Wicks. 

Teamster. — Hiram Armitage. 

Privates. — Irwin Allspaw, Benjamin F. Allison, Hamil- 
ine Bice, William Bennett, Andrew Brenning, William 
Boyer, Jesse W. Baird, David B. Buckles, George W. Bi- 
ner John A. Bird, Isaac Counts, Emanuel Carolus, George 
W. Carey, William Culver, Samuel P. Cheatwood, George 
H. Cheatwood, Wesley Coon, James Cook, Abraham De- 
course}', James Davis, Andrew Davis, Alexander Emmons, 
John Eisenbice, Ferdinand Eisenbice, Joseph J. Ferl, Jo- 
seph I. Fair, Isaac Gatton, James S. Garver, William R. 
Gordon, Henry Garee, Lorenzo D. Harter, Charles E. 
Hoo'ue, Allen Jamison, David Lee, Peter Lies, Solomon B. 
MiUer, Martin Miller, Tobias Miller, Solomon P. Miller, 
Isaac N. Miller, Henry C. Miller, Jacob M. Moorman, Thom- 
as Moorman, Madison Moorman, Antel J. Moorman, James 
May, Samuel Mottier, John McMullin, William Place, James 
Point, Andrew J. Point, Loveman Place, William Perry, 
Henry Pool, Samuel Rider, Joseph H. Rider, John N. 
Rupert, Alanson S. Rhodes, Benjamin C. Seaman, 
Samuel Shock, Charles W. Smith, AValter S. Stevens, Rob- 
ert Sutton. Ebenezer Sunderland, Samuel Sunderland, An- 
drew D. Sunderland, Robert Sunderland, Abraham Shanks, 
Benjamin F. Simkins, Samuel L. Sweeney, John Terwilli- 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS — COMPANY "A." 173 

ger, Elijah Tracy, Washington Tippie, Corwin B. Van 
Pelt, Hufus White, Isaac Walters, G-eorge W. Winans, 
William H. Winans, Thomas Whetstone, Aaron Zircle. 

Recruits. — Frederick Conkel, Alexander C. Counts, Thos. 
Fair, Francis M. Barter, Bennett Harter, Barton S. Bar- 
ter, John Miller, Eli Miller, Warrick W. Morton, George 
A. Park, Clark Ely, Peter Ely, George Hammond, John 
Meaker, Leroy Place, Edgar Stevens. 

CASUALTIES, 

Promotmis. — Captain W. H. Hill to Lieutenant-Colonel, 
April 22, '65 ; First Lieutenant, D. S. Van Pelt, to Captain, 
May 17, '64; First Sergeant, Adam C. Post, to Second 
Lieutenant, June 19, '64; to First Lieutenant, April 23, 
'65 ; Sergeant, Josej^h H. Harbison to First Sergeant, June 
19, '64; to Second Lieutenant, May 24, '65; Private Cor- 
win B. Yan Pelt, to Commissary Sergeant, July 1, '64 ; 
to Quartermaster Sergeant, March 26. '65 ; to Second 
Lieutenant, May 24, '65. 

Died of Disease. — Albert G-. Catton, Corinth, Miss., Jan. 

13, '63; Thomas Whetstone, Corinth, Miss., Feb. 5, '63; 
Samuel Shock, Corinth, Miss., March 12, '63; William A. 
J. Moorman, Corinth, Miss., April 18, '63; Joseph I. Fair, 
Corinth, Miss., April 28, '63; William Culver, Pocahontas, 
Tenn,, July 6, '63; Hamiline Bice, Corinth, Miss., July 18, 
'63; Thomas Moorman, Pocahontas, Tenn. Aug. 8, '63; 
Warrick W. Morton, Pulaski, Tenn., March 17, '64; 
Thomas Fair, Chattanooga, Tenn., May 27, '64 ; Henry 
Sunderland, Rome, Ga., July 4, '64; Francis M. Harter, 
Marietta, Ga., Sept. 3, '64; Hiram Armitage, Rome, Ga., 
Sept. 3, '64; Sergeant Wm. P. De Hart, Lima, 0., Dec. 
16, '64 ; William Adams, Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 16, '64 ; 
James S. Cook, Louisville, Ky., Dec. 16, '64; George W. 
Winans, Rome, Ga., Sept. 10, '64. 

Discharged for Disability. — Elijah Tracy, Oct. 23, '62 ; 
Wm. H. Winans, Jan. 7, 63; Hervey Wicks, Jan. 14, '63; 
James Davis, Jan. 14, '63; James S. Garver, Jan. 21, '63; 
Henry Pool, March 27, '63 ; George W. Enboden — no date ; 
Loveman Place, Jan. 24, '63; David B. Buckles, Jan. 19, 
'65 ; Isaac Gatton, March 16, '65 ; Samuel Mottier, May 19, 
'65 ; William Perry, May 30, '65 ; George A. Park, May 5, 
'65 ; Geo. W. Smith, May 5, '65. 

Discharged to accept Promotion. — John Terwilliger, Sept. 

14, '63. 



174 HISTORY OF THE 

Discharged upon Expiration of Term of Service. — R. K 
DarliDg, Sept. 6, '64. 

Transferred — To Non-commissioned Staff, Corwin B. Van 
Pelt, July 1, '64, Chas. W. Fogle, May 24, '65; W. N. 
Miller, May 26, '65 ; to Yeteran Reserve Corps, Madison 
Moorman, Oct.7, '64. 

Resigned. — Second Lieut., Timothy Shaffer, Aug. 24,' 64. 

ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF COMPANY B, 81ST OHIO, OR- 
GANIZED AT LIMA, OHIO, AUGUST, 1861, BY CAPTAIN 
M. ARMSTRONG. 

Captain Martin Armstrong, First Lieutenant, James 
W. Titus, Second Lieutenant William F. Wilcox. 

Sergeants. — First Sergeant, James H. Corns .• George W. 
Dixon, G-eorge W. Millei% Ptufus K. Darling, John Johnson. 

Corporals. — Gideon Ditto, Jerome Raymond,^ Wallace 
Standish, Sumner F. Mason, John B. Jacobs, John Askins, 
Francis M. Hartshorn, William D. Cunningham. 

Privates — John W. Armour, Madison W. Alexander,* G. 
H. Adgate, John W. Anderson, Abraham Bumgardner, 
Jasper Buckmaster, Thomas D. Crosley, Gabriel Coffman, 
William Copas, Eli Champion, William Champion, Ware 
Champion, Joseph R. Clay tor, Christopher C. Claytor,* 
William Cole, Joseph Car mean, George Conrad, George 
Daniels, William H. Dills, Inley Seth Dixon, Floyd DoAvns, 
Abram Fulmer, Benjamin Franklin, Nathaniel G. Frank- 
lin, William Mc H. Gillespey,* Wm. H. Garretson, Steele 
L. Henderson, Samuel B. Henderson,* James A. Hume, 
George E. Haines, Charles Haines, Enos Huffer, Jacob 
L-eland, Christian Lehman,* Isaac Lehman,'i'John Linton,* 
Marquis D. Mason, William F. Maltbie,* Henry Miller, 
Robert A. Miller, George Miller, Isaac McGrady, Jesse 
Miller,* Washington Martin,* Wm. L. Mechling,* George 
W. May, Jacob Mark el,* John Mullenour, Joseph Mullen our, 
William J. Morris, Charles McBride, Matthew McMullin, 
Amos Nihiser, Joseph S. Peltier, John W. Peltier, Hiram 
Bobbins, Ferdinand C. Richards, Martin V. Richards, 
William Rankins, Jerome T. Straley, Thomas Shaw,* Cor- 
nelius Sh off*, William Sherman, Jacob Stevenson, William 
Snyder, James Sherry, sen., James Sherry, jun., Albert 
Sherry, Daniel J. Shuler, Charles Sherman, Jas. Swisher,* 
Sampson Sawmiller, Levi Spangler, Peter Tracy,* Milton 
Titus, George R. Truesdale, Jacob Tester, Jesse Tarman, 

•• Veteran*!. 



EIGUTY-FIRSI OHIO INFANTRY VOLS— COMFAH x - i>. 175 

Lawrence Verbryke, John WoUet, Noah WoUet, Wm. 
Tf Wolev * Franklin Wriglit. -r^ . i 

Zru^^; -Francis M. A?mour, Joseph W. Brown Daniel 
H Bush William T. Caskey, Goodsm. McClayton Horace 
A Edmonds, Enoch Greer, William H. Greer, Arthur Hal , 
John Lutz Hugh McKinstry, John Motter, Price Nun, 

Ross, James W. Swain, Sampson Swain, H^'-^/y f^™™' 
Samuel Claytor, Edward Carmean, Thomas A. Maltbie, 
Anderson Poling, Stephen A. Swisher, Byrant Sweeney. 

CAStJAIiTIBS. 

Promoft-ons.-Lieutenant James W. Titus to Captain 
AprU 7, '62, to Lieutenant-Colonel, Aug. 21, '.f- Sergeant 
James H. Corns to First Lieutenant April 7, 62 , to 
Captain, Oct. 3, '62, and assigned to Co. » ^ J!?"^ «-f 
to Invalid Corps, '63; severely wounded at Battle of Cor- 
inth Oct. 3, -62; Sei^eant Geo, W. Dixon to First Lieut 
Juni 3, -63 Sei^eant^Geo. W. Miller to ^.rst Lieutenant 
April 12, '63. Corporal Gideon Ditto promoted to Fn st 
sJrgean . Wounded Oct. 4, '62, at Corinth ; May 14, 64 
at Lay's Ferry, Ga.; and July 22, '64, at Atlan a; Corpora 
Jerome Eay.nind promoted to 5th Sergeant ; Corporal 
Sumner F. ]&ason,pvomoted to 2nd Sergeant to 2d Lieut n 
ant May 24, '65 ; to 1st Lieutenant, July 10, 05 , Coipoial 
Francis M. Hartshorn promoted to 3d Sergeant; Private 
William Mc H. Gillespey to Corporal for services m action, 
July 22, '64, before Atlanta, Ga.; to Sergeant, Dec. 27 64 
Ch/istian Lehman to Sergeant, April 30, .65. J'^'^rt^ 
Charles Haines promoted to Corporal for services in action 
at Corinth, Oct. 3 and 4, '62; Private James Swisher to 
Corporal for meritorious services m action, July /A M, 
before Atlanta, Ga.; wounded Aug. 7, '64, before Atlanta, 

^''m^/^i^Adion.-Ciivi^^ Martin Armstong, April 6, 
•62, battle of Shiloh ; Sergeant John Johnson, Oct. 3, bi, 
battle of Corinth; Private Jo^^" W. Armour Oct 4 62 
battle of Corinth; G. H. Adgate, Oct. 3 62, battle ot 
Corinth ; Thomas D. Crosley, May 9, '64, sbu-mish at Ee- 
saca,Ga'.; Abram Fulmer, Oct. 3 '62 battle of Corinth ; 

William Bankins, Oct. 3, '62, battle of Corinth. 

* Veteran. 



176 HISTORY OF THE 

Died from Wounds or Disease. — G-abriel Coffinan, disease, 
Juty 10, '62, Cincinnati, Ohio; Eli Champion, disease, 
Sept. 13, '63, Pocahontas, Tenn.; George Daniels, disease, 
May 7, '62, Cinninnati, Ohio; Floyd Downs, wound, Jan. 
14, '63, St. Louis, Mo.; Nathaniel G. Franklin, disease, 
May 14, '62, Cincinnati ; Samuel B. Henderson, disease, 
JS'ov. 7, '61, Franklin, Mo.; Joseph Mullenour, disease, 
June 24, '62, Paducah, Ky.; Charles McBride, disease, Dec. 
18, '63, Jefferson Barracks, Mo.; Amos Nihiser, disease, 
Nov. 19, '62, Corinth, Miss.; Hiram Bobbins, wound, April 
9, '63, Mound City, Illinois; William Sherman, disease, 
Dec. 20, '61, Herman, Mo.; William Snyder, disease, June 
21, '62, Lima, Ohio; James Sherry, Jun., disease, Aug. 5, 
'62, Corinth, Miss.; Levi Spangler, disease, Nov. 7, '61, 
Franklin, Mo.; Lawrence Verbryke, disease, May 24, '62, 
Monterey, Tenn.; Joseph W. Brown, disease, Nov. 26, '63, 
Corinth, Miss. ; Hugh McKinstry, disease, Aug. 1, '63, Cor- 
inth, Miss.; Price Nun, disease, May 25, '63, Corinth Miss.; 
Fidillis Ott, disease, March 12, '63, Corinth, Miss.; Samp- 
son Swain, disease, Aug. 8, '64, Marietta, Ga.; Stephen A. 
Swisher, disease, April, '64, Nashville, Tenn. 

Discharged for Disability. — Corporal John B.Jacobs, Sept. 
8, '62 ; Corporal John Askins, Aug. 15, '62; Corporal Wm. 
D. Cunningham, Feb. 5, '63; Jasper Buckmaster, July 1, 
'62; William Champion, Aug. 13, '62; Ware Champion, 
Aug. 13, '62; Joseph R. ClayW, Oct. 3, '62; George Con- 
rad, July 30, '62 ; William H. Dills, Jan. 1, '63; James A. 
Hume, June 28, 62 ; Enos Huffer, July 9, '62 ; George Mil- 
ler, Sept. 12, 62 ; Isaac McGrady, Feb. 15, '64; John Mul- 
lenour, March 3, '63; William J. Morris, Sept. 16, '62; 
Martin V. Richards, Nov. 4, '62; Jacob Stevenson, Nov. 
30, '62 ; James Sherry, Sen., July 19, '62; Albert Sherry, 
Aug. 30, '62 ; George K. Truesdale, Dec. 17, '62 ; Francis 
M. Armour, Sept. 19, '68. 

Transferred. — Captain James H. Corns, to Co. D, 81st 
Ohio, May, '63 ; Sergeant Rufus K. Darling to Co. A, 81st 
Ohio ; Oct. 1, '62 ; William Cole, to Invalid Corps, Dec. 15, 
'63; Arthur Hall, to Invalid Corps, Jan. 15, '64. 

Resigned, — Second Lieutenant W. T. Wilcox, April, '62. 



EIGHTY- FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS — COMPANY C. 177 

OBIGINAL MEMBEKS OF COMPANY 0, 81ST OHIO IN- 
FANTRY VOLUNTEERS, ORGANIZED AT GREENFIELD, 
OHIO, AUGUST 30, 1861, BY CAPT- R. N. ADAMS. 

Captain E. N. Adams, First Lieutenant W. H. Chamber- 
LiN, Second Lieutenant Oliver P. Irion. 

Sergeants.— Yirst Sergeant W. A. Johnson ; Charles De- 
po3^ William W. Merrill, Henry N. Depoy, Lyle Q. Adair. 
- Corporals.— WiWiam H. Scroggs, John A. Wilson, Ed- 
win W. Brown, Douglas W. Binns, James Abbot, William 
fi. Logan, William F. Dwyer, John Q. Adams. 

Musicians.— WWVmm B. Haynes, David W. Buck. 

Privates.— WiWmm McM. Adams, Thomas J. Beatty,^- 
Joseph H.Bennelt,^!^ John Blake,* James H. Boggs, George 
W. Brinley, William M. Buck,* Noble B. Caldwell,* Charles 
Clark, George Clay pool, James W. Cowman,* John M. 
Cowman,* Nathan W. Crooks, Andrew M. Dick, James E. 
J. Dill,* Edward S. Donaldson, Peter W. Duffield, Samuel 
Edgington, Isaac H. Eshelman, Benjamin Estle, William 
H. Estle, Elijah Furry, Henry Furry,* William Furry,* 
Robert H. Griner, Henry G. Elamilton, Edward Hendry,* 
John M. Henness,* Albert Kinnamon,* Samuel A. Leav- 
erton,* Robert W. Luttrell,* David Y. Lyttle,* John Ma- 
der,* John C. McAlpin,* James McAlster,* James McCann,* 
Calvin P. McClelland, James McClelland, Edward P. Mc- 
Cormick, Daniel J. Melson,* John H. Meredith, Randolph 
F. Milbourne, Samuel J. Moomau, Cary L. Nelson, Joseph 
K. Nelson, James M. Nixon, Abraham D. Park, Thomas 
P. Potts, Isaac Rife, Benjamin Rigdon,* James C. Rigdon, 
Presley Robey, Charles M. Robins,* Charles Robinson, 
Alexander R. Rodgers, William B. Rush,* Francis A. 
Sayre,* William H. Sayre, John G. Scroggs, Hugh S. Strain, 
Galia Streets, Amos 'Swartz, John E. Taylor, James A, 
Watts, Thomas N. Watts, John M. Wiley,* Samuel T. 
Wiley,* John H. Willis, Tilghman R. Willis,* Joseph M. 
Wilson, Charles Wright, James D. Young. 

Recruits of 1862.— Lewis R. Barr, Wilbur F. Cherry, 
George W. Coaplantz, Frank L. Dunlap, Joseph P. Eshel- 
man, John M. Estle, Fletcher B. Haynes, William B. Hen- 
ness, David C. Johnson, Jabez Johnson, Andrew N. Mack- 
erley, Arden P. Middleton, John H. Middleton, James H. 
Pricer, Berry Smith, Joseph P. Taylor. Under-cook — Jo- 
seph Gant. 

* Veterans. ~~ 

L5 



178 HISTORY OF THE 



CASUALTIES. 

Promotions. — Caj^tain E. N. Adams to Lieutenant-Colonel 
May 7, '62; to Colonel Aug. 12, '64; to Brevet Brigadier- 
General to date from March 13, '65. 

First Lieutenant AY. H Chamberlin to Captain, May 7, 
1862 ; to Major, Aug. 12, 1864. 

Second Lieutenant O. P. Irion to First Lieutenant, May 
7, 1862 ; to Captain, 1864. 

First Sergeant W. A. Johnson to Second Lieutenant, May 
7, '62; to First Lieutenant, June 27, '64; to Captain, K^w 

25, '65, 

Private William B. Rush to Corporal, May 5, '62 ; to 
Sergeant, Feb. 1, '64; to First Sergeant, May 1, '64; to 
Sergeant Major, Aug. 19, '64; to First Lieutenant, March 

26, '65 ; appointed Adjutant March 28, '65. 

Corporal W. H. Scroggs to First Sergeant, Jan. 1, 63. 

Corporal John A. Wilson to Sergeant, May 1, 1864; 
color bearer. 

Corporal W. H. Logan to Sergeant, Feb. 5, '62. 

Private John M. Henness to Corporal for good conduct 
in action, battle of Corinth, Oct. 20, '62 ; to Sergeant, Sept. 
1, '64; to First Sergeant, Nov. 1, '64; to Second Lieuten- 
ant, May, '65 ; not mustered. 

Private John Mader to Corporal, May 5, '62 ; to Ser- 
geant, Oct. 29, '62 ; to First Sergeant, Jan. 1, '64. 

Private James McCann to Corporal, Feb. 5, '62 ; to Ser- 
geant, Jan. 7, '63. 

Private Samuel T. Wiley to Corporal, Feb. 1, '64; to 
Sergeant, April 28, '65. 

Private James McAlster to Corporal, May 22, '64 ; to 
Sergeant, Sept. 1, '64. 

Private Andrew N. Mackerley to Corporal, March 26, 
1864; to Sergeant, July 1, 1865. 

Privates Charles Wright and James C. Rigdon to Cor- 
porals, Oct. 20, '62, for bravery and good conduct at the 
battle of Corinth. 

KiVed in Battle.— V^WWdim. McM. Adams, battle of Shiloh, 
Apr. V,'62; Amos Swartz, battle of Corinth, Oct. 3, '62; 
John M. Wiley, Lay's Ferry, Oostenaula river, Georgia, 
May 14, '64 ; Wilbur F. Cherry, near Atlanta, Ga., j\ily 
22, 1864. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS — COMPANY C. 179 

Died of Wounds.— :So\i\\ M. Cowman, Sept- 10, 1864, 
wounded iit Lovejoj^s's Sept. 2, '64; Fletcher B. Baj-nes, 
Dec. 18, '64, wounded Dec. 13, '64, near Savannah, Ga. 

Died of Disease.— George Claypool, Mar. 26, '62, Pitts- 
burg Landing, Teiin ; John H. Willis. Corinth, Miss., Aug. 
27, '62; James D. Young, Greenfield^ Ohio, June 10, '62; 
George W. Coaplantz, Pocahontas, Tenn., Aug. 20, '63 ; 
Berry Smith, Rome, Ga., Aug. 8, '64; Joseph P. Taylor, 
Corinth. Miss., Dec. 8, '62 ; Francis A. Sayre, near Colum- 
bia, South Carolina, Feb. 20, '65. 

Discharged for Disability. — Sergeant Charles Depoy, Mar. 
19, '64; Sergeant John A.. Wilson, Sept. 27, '64, wounded 
at Lay's Ferry, Ga., May 15, '64 ; Sergeant Henry N. De- 
pov, Dec. 15, '62 ; Sergeant W. H. Logan, July 9, '62 ; Cor- 
poral D. W. Binns, July 22, '63 ; W. B. Haynes, Mar. 3, 
1863; D. W. Buck, Dec. 15, '62; J. H. Boggs, Oct. 1, '62; 
Chas. Clark, Oct. 1, '62; E. S. Donaldson, July 12, '62; B. Es- 
tle, Feb. 25, '62 ; E. Furry, Mar. 8, '63, irom wound received 
at Shiloh, Apr. 7, '62 ; E. P. McCormick, Aug. 23, 62 ; J. H. 
Meredith, Nov. 21, '62; Sara'l J. Moomau, Oct. 9. '62 ; C. L. 
Nelson, July 18, '62; W' . H. Sayre, Feb. 25, '62 ; H. S. Strain, 
Oct., '62; Galia Streets, July 18, '62; J. M. Wilson, July 18, 
'62 ; J. H. Middleton, Aug. 30, '63. 

Transferred. — Sergeant W. H. Scroggs to 111th United 
States Colored Troops, Jan. 29, '64, to accept appointment 
of Captain ; Edward Hendry to 1st Missouri Light Artil- 
lery, Jan. 1, '64; Sergeant John Mader to 111th United 
States Colored Troops, June 10, '64, to accept appointment 
of Quartermaster Sergeant ; Corporal J. K. Nelson to 111th 
United States Colored Troops, Jan. 29, '64, to accept ap- 
pointment of Second Lieutenant ; R. Milbourne to Yeteran 
Reserve Corps, Dec. 15, '63. 

(The non-veterans of this company were mustered out 
in September, 1864, and on the 26th of December, 1864, 
the veterans and recruits were transferred to companies 
E and F.) 



180 HISTORY OF THE 



OKIGINAIi MEMBERS OF COMPANY D, SIST OHIO, OR- 
GANIZED IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1861, AT UPPER 
SANDUSKY, WYANDOT COUNTY, OHIO, BY CAPTAIN 
P. A. TYLER, (COMPILED FROM MUSTER-OUT ROLL.) 

Captain Peter A. Tyler, First Lieutenant Frederick 
Agerter, Second Lieutenant Joseph M. Post. 

Sergeants. — First Sergeant, Noah M. Stoker, Charles H. 
Willard, WiUard D. Tyler, Richard J. Earp, Robert M. 
Reed. 

Corporals. — David Agerter, Henry Hardly, Benjamin 
Stewart, Benjamin Ellis, William Earp, David Hagerman. 

Privates. — Jacob Albert, James Anderson, Jas. A. Atkin- 
son, Thomas M. Blake, Joseph P. Berry, John Bushong, 
Charles Caldwell, Napoleon Crouse, Hugh T. Carlisle, 
Patrick Downey, Samuel Down, Henry Down, William 
Davis, George Devine, David D^'singer, John Finan, Caleb 
J. Fogle, Jeremiah C. Groff, John W. Gillin, James B. 
Graham, Stephen Healy, Ej^hraim Hay, William Hel- 
sel, H. Hawkins, James R. Hagerman, William R. 
Hetfelfinger, George K. Hagerman, Anson Jones, Michael 
W. Kimmel, Charles S. Keys, Levi Keller, Patrick Kelly, 
Franklin Kating, Jerome Kennedy, Jacob Lime, Elijah C. 
Longabaugh, Joseph H. Long, Martin Lipp, Patrick Mul- 
hauerj Jared L. Mills, Henvy Miller, Jacob Miller, William 
Mankin, Jonah Mankin, James M. Nelson, Morris Prender- 
gast, Wilson Quaintance, James E. Reed, William A. Reed, 
John F. Reidling, 0. H. P. Reed, John F. Rose, John P. 
Ross, Elias Stevens, Joseph Stall, William Stamford, Law- 
rence Smith, HenryStomb, James Surplus, Anderson Sul- 
livan, William F. Savage, John Thompson, Asa H. Tyler, 
John A. Vanorsdall, Robert Whinner}^, John AVilson. 

Recruits. — Obadiah Fair, Samuel Gilbert, Freeman 
Hoaks, Lewis Lemay, Jacob M. Longworth, John Moor- 
man, Charles M. Peterson, Leroy Russell, Edward Slade, 
Thomas Cooper, Thomas Shewman, Clinton Shewman, Mil- 
ton Hapner, Benjamin F. Saylor, F. C. Andrews, Isaac J. 
Clair, Charles Campbell, James Overholser, John R. Peters, 
Charles M. Shaw, Reeder Shewman, Henry M. Studebaker, 
Thomas Shelley, Andrew Thomjison, William R. Lee, 
Nicholas Cunningham, (undcr-cook.) 



EIQIITY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRl' VOLS— COMPANY D. l&l 
CASUALTIES. 

Promotions.— Yir&t Sergeant, Noah M. Stoker to Second 
Lieutenant, April 7, '62 ; to First Lieutenant, I>ec^31, 62; 
to Captain, Jan. 10, 64; Sergeant Willard D. Tyler to 
Second Lieutenant, Dec. 31, '62; to First Lieutenant, Jan. 
10 '64- Private J. C. Groff to Quartermaster, llOth Regi- 
ment United States Colored Troops, Jan. 5, '64. 

Killed ill Aciw^L— Second Lieutenant Joseph M Post, 
battle of Shiloh, April 7, '62 ; James Anderson May 29, 
^64 Dallas, Ga.; Morris Prendergast, battle of Atlanta, 
July 22, "64; Lawrence Smith, Cheraw, S. C, March 6, 65 . 
Died of TFoimcZ-s.—Corporal Henry Hardly, Corinth, 
Miss Oct. 3, '62 ; Thomas Cooper, Atlanta, Ga., July 24, 
'64; Patrick Kelly, Atlanta, Ga., July 22, '64; Oliver H. 
P. Eeed, Paducah, Ky., May 4, '62; wounded at Shiloh; 
John F. Rose, Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3, '62. 

Died of i)isease.— Corporal David Agerter, Corinth, Miss., 
Nov 23"'62; Corporal Benjamin Stewart, Hamburg, lenn., 
(drowned) Jan. 26, '63; Thomas M. Blake, St. Louis, Mq., 
May 17, '62 ; Patrick Downey, Corinth, Miss., Dec. 23, 62 ; 
David Hagerman, Pittsl^urg Landing, Tenn., May 9,_ QZ; 
Levi Keller, May 18, '62; Wilson Quamtance, Corinth, 
Miss., June 14, '62 ; John P. Ross, Corinth, Miss., July 28, 
'62; Anderson Sullivan, Monterey, Tenn., June 1, 52; 
Thomas Shewraan, Big Shanty, Ga., June 26, 64. 

i¥i5-.sm^.— Franklin Rating, in action at Corinth, Miss., 
Oct. 3, 62. 

Discliarqed for Disalnlitij. -Sergeant Richard J. Earp, 
Tnlv'^1 '62- "Corporal Benjamin Elhs, Jan.. 63; Joseph 
P iS^Dec 1 '61; John^Bushong, Jan. 22, '63; Hugh 
t'. Carlisle, April 22, '63; William T Caskey April 28, 
'63 ; David Dysinger, Aug. 31, '62 ; John W Gillm March 
9, '63 ; Anson Jones, Aug. 24, '62 ; Jerome Keimedy Nov. 
'61 ; Jacob Lime. Jan. 5, '63; Jared F. Mil s, Aug. 16, 62 ; 
William Mankin, Jan., '62; Jonah Mankm June, 62; 
William A. Reed, no date; Elias S^ev^J^^' ,^'^^^ ,^ Vi' 
William Stanford, June 12, '65 ; Charles M. Shaw, May 11, 
'65 ; Henry Stomb, Jan. 7, '63. 

Transferred.~-Geo. K. Hagerman, to Non-commissioned 
Staff; Nov. 1, '64; James M. Nelson to Veteran Reserve 
Corps, April 30, '64. 



182 HISTORY OP THE 

Mustered out. — Capt. N. Stoker, on expiration of term 
of service. 

Resigned. — First Lieutenant F. Agerter, Nov. 24, 'C2 ; 
First Lieutenant W. D. Tyler, Jan. 31, '05. 

Note. — Upon the reception of the official notice of the 
muster-out of Companies B and C, an order was issued 
from Regimental Headquarters, transferring the veterans 
and recruits of the former Compan}' to Comj)any D, Dec. 
26, 'G4. 



EXTRACTS FROM MUSTER-OUT ROLL OP COMPANY E, 
81ST OHIO. 

Note. — Company E, as before stated, was not a mini- 
mum company until in August, 1862, when Company If, 
another partial organization, raised at Lima, 0., by Captain 
Charles M. Hughes, was consolidated with it. Owing to 
this fact, it was impossible to obtain an accurate list of 
original members, but the following compilation from the 
Muster-out Roll will serve the purpose. On the 26th 
December, 1864, a portion of the veterans and recruits of 
Company C, not mustered out with their Company, were 
transferred to this Company, wntli which they served until 
the Regiment was mustered out. 

Officers of Company E. — Captain George A. Taylor, re- 
signed, Dec. 1, '61 ; Captain Richard Y. Lanius, appointed 
Dec. 12, 61 ; resigned, Feb. 13, '63 ; Captain Charles M. 
Hughes, mustered out upon consolidation of Co's H and 
E, Aug. '62; First Lieutenant John L. Hughes, promoted 
to Captain, April 12, '63; Discharged on account of phys- 
ical disability, March 4, '64; Sergeant Jonathan McCain, 
promoted to Second Lieutenant — date not given ; to First 
Lieutenant, '63; to Captain, May 18, '64; Second Lieuten- 
ant Anthony Bowsher, resigned, Aug. 13, '62 ; Second 
Lieutenant Thomas Harpster, mustered out on expiration 
of term of service, Oct. 22, '64. 

Mustered out in'th the Regiment, July, 13, 1865. — First 
Sergeant Charles Brcnnan, appointed Nov. 14, '64; pro- 
moted to Second Lieutenant, May, '65; not mustered; Ser- 
geants Philip Hoot, appointed Jan. 1, '64; Jacob Byers, 
Oct. 5, '64; Joseph H. Taylor, March 1, '65. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS— COMPANY E. 183 
Corpomls.-heoniivd Ward, James D. Ward, John H. 

^^""prLtes, (veteransy-Er^stus R- Curtis, Joseph Cush- 
mou Thomas Everitt, Albert S. Hickerson,^ Thomas H. 
HulUn^er, Samuel H. Hullinger, Geo K. Keith Jamison 
Maybefry Thomas Moyers, Charles Straw John Simon, 
Leander Slygl^, Samuel J. Vinson, Andrew J. Wilson 

Recruits.— ^ohevt N. Harpster, George W. Longnecker, 
Samuel Strubridge, John Sindall. 

Uiider-Gooks.—^ndrevi Davis, Henry Pillow. 
Killed in Battle.-J)^y\d M. Bailey, before Atlanta, Ga, 
Auo- 9 '64; Isaac C. Deam, before Atlanta, Aug. 24, b4 ; 
Levi G'arret, battle of Atlanta, July 22, '64. 

2>,-,^._joseph Close, June 12. '62 ; Alexander Fulling- 
ham, Danville^ Mo., Dec. 12, '61 ; Charles A\ .Miller, Rome, 
Ga July 27, '64; Isaac McKee, Nashville, Tenn Feb 6, 
^5'; Jaci'ob Shewman, Pulaski, Tenn Dec^lS, '63 We Is 
H Ward Franklin, Mo., Dec. 11, '61 ; Wesley Walters, 
Corinth, Miss., Oct. 29, '62. 

Discharged prior to July 13, '65, on expiration of term of 
,,,,/e..-Sergeants, Pierson S. Hubbard George McCain, 
James W. Hullinger; Corporals, Daniel Harpster, Wm. 
V Garner; Solomon Miller, Cyrus D. Smutz, Grattan E. 
Poage, James W. Bailey, William A. Burns, Alonzo Mone- 
smith. 

Privates.— Ad^m Alexander, Alvero Curtis Robert W. 
Ellison, George Fear, Andrew Gillespie ^Vllllam Gaunt, 
Thoma; Hilyard, Robert Hill, Patterson C. Harrison John 
Nott, Amos A. Miller, George W. Murray, Samuel Neely, 
Jacob Rinehart, Thomas Snider, Ambrose Snider, Louis 
Swearingen, Isaac Strubridge, William Snodgrass, Joseph 
Wacroner, William Atmur, James H. Barber, James Bid- 
dinger, Hugh N. Biddinger, Valentine Bauersack, Jordan 
S Craig, Jacob Gensel, Josephus L. Kemp ^^artin 1 
Kintz, Thomas C. Rice, Jacob T. Rice, Reuben Whit^ 
Frederick C. Bennett, William D. Cleal^ Jacob B.Cail, 
Beniamin F. Gardner, Samuel Kneass David ^- ^\one- 
smith, Peter S. Miller, Hiram Nease, Thomas A Nation, 
- John H. Smith, Lemuel Stephenson, Martin Shewman, 
William H. Turner, Richard C. Truitt, Ed. W. Walker. 



184 HISTORY OF THE 

. Discharged for Disability. — John Brash , Feb. 1, '62 ; Mich- 
ael Brown, Jan., '64; Lucius Curtis, July 2^, '62 ; Chaun- 
ce}^ Curtis, Nov. 20, '62; John Fullington, July 25, '62; 
Gilbert Huff, Aug. 23, '62; James M. Potterf, (by General 
Order, 'No. 77, War Department,) June 19, '65 ; Alexander 
Allison, Sept. 5, '63 ; Jesse H. Atmur, Aug. 9, '62 ; James 
A. Boyd— no date ; Homer C. Binkley, Aug. 8, 62 ; James 
F. McGinnis, July 27, '63 ; George H. Eoney— no date : 
William B. Sheehan, Feb. 14, '63. 

Transferred. — Charles Shock to Non-commissioned Staff; 
promoted to Hospital Steward June, 13 '65; John Alder 
to Company I, 1st Missouri Light Artillery, Sept. 7, '63 ; 
John S. Goeble to Company I, 1st Missouri Light Artillery, 
Sept. 7, '63 ; John Hitchcock to Company I, 1st Missouri 
Light Artillery, Sept. 7, '63; David W. Lamme to Non- 
commissioned Staff, promoted to Hospital Steward, 1862 ; 
Milton Titus to Company B, Oct. 22, '62 ; John L. Ore- 
baugh to Yeteran Eeserve Corps, Jan. 16, '65. 



EXrSACTS FROM THE MUSTER-OUT ROLL OF COM- 
PANY F, 81ST OHIO. 

Note. — This Company was partially organized in Aug- 
ust, 1861, at Cincinnati and Buena Vista, Ohio, by Captain 
0. J. DoDDS and Lieutenant W. C. Henry. In August, 
1862, it was made a minimum company by the consoHda- 
tion v/ith it of Company G — Captain Kinsell — another par- 
tial organization, from Morrov^^ county, Ohio. The names 
of the members of Company C, transferred to this com- 
pany in December, 1864, are not inserted here, as they are 
given Avith their own company. 

Officers. — Captain Ozro J. Dodds appointed Lieutenant- 
Colonel 2d Alabama Cavalry ; last appeared on company 
rolls of November and December, 1863. First Lieutenant 
JV. 0. Henry, promoted to Captain of company H, Oct. 2, 
1862. First Lieutenant Charles W. Lockwood assigned 
to company with recruits of 1862 ; promoted to Captain, 
Sept., '64; resigned Jan. 3, '65. Captain E. B. Kinsell 
mustered out August, 1862, upon consolidation of compa- 
nies G and F. First Lieutenant E. A. James, resigned 
June, 1862. Second Lieutenant Caleb J. Ayers, resigned 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS— COMPANY F. 185 

Oct 31 '62. Second Lieutenant Mahlon G. Bailey, re- 
B^o'Ved Auo-ust 10, '62. First Sergeant B. R. Howe 1, pro- 
mTedioieZnd Lieutenant, Sept. 5, '62 ;_to First L,euten- 
ant, Aug. 15, 'U; to Captain, Mar. 27 ;6». Sergeant Wil- 
liam Pittman promoted to Sergeant-Major May 1, 63 to 
Second Lieutenant, June 20, '6i ; to First Lieutenant, Nov. 
1, '64; discharged by reason ot expiration of term ot ser- 
vice, Mar. 27, '65. 

Mustered Out with Regiment Jnly 13, 1865.-Sergeaiit Ma- 
rion S. Day; Corporals William Bates, John Hayslip, Na- 
poleon S. Bowkei-: Benjamin F, Hartwel 1 P"7^';te.--vet- 
ii-ans-George AUington, Zelas V. Franldm, Janies Hoff- 
man James liennedy, Abram Lewis William McCand ess, 
John Vastine. Keeruits-William Allington Charles H. 
Baird, ('65,) Peter Comfort, Thomas Casey, Stephen tor- 
win Clay I Day, Albert W. Griffith, Adam Green George 
G knig,^Jacob E, Minnick, William H. M.lam, William W. 
MerrilC('65,) Cyrus Mitchell, William Pryor, Andrew M. 
Hose. Under-oook— Robert Cox. 

mied in Battle.-SorgemM James Corrothers May U, 
'64 Lay's Ferry, Ga. , Corpora! Abner McCall, Oct. o 62, 
Cm-inS, Miss.; David H. Brown, Oct. 3 62, Cor,nth,M,ss.; 
Leman P. Gifford, Oct. 3, '62, Corinth, Mies. 

Died of irom(?s.-Color-Sergeant David W.McCall, Oct. 
4 '62, (wounded same day,) Corinth, Miss.; Durbin French 
May 16, '64, (wounded same day, at battle of Kome Cross 
Eoads)' John D. Trnit, .July 28, '64, (wounded July 22 
before Atlanta) ; John R. Thompson, Sept. 5, '64, (wounded 
July 22, before Atlanta.) 

• Died of Dis.as<;.-Sergeant Josiah B. Truit, Rome Ohio 
Tune 3 '62; Jonathan Burgett, Connth, Miss, Deo. 11, bl, 
Jud on' D Bldridge, Corinth. Miss., May 11, '63 ; James F. 
Farlow, Corinth, Miss., Feb. 9 '63 ; John Hoover, -Pad>icah 
Kv Nov 21, '63; Abram Hoover, Dallas, Ga., June 5. 64, 
Jo^h'n W. Job, Camp Chase, 0., Nov. 28, '64; Janies Ker- 
tin, Atlanta, Ga.. 1864; Daniel N. Peterson, Corinth Miss 
Nov 26 '62 ; Walter Scott, Chattanooga, Tenn Sept 29, 
1864 Skmuel Stephens, Pocahontas, Tenn., 1863 ; William 
Thompson, Lynnville, Tenn., April 5, '64. 



18G HISTORY OF THE 

Transferred. — First Sergeant William Pittman to Non- 
coiumissioned Staff, May 1, "63; Sergeant John R. Cham- 
berlin to Non-commissioned Staff, appointed Sergeant-Ma- 
jor, Mar. 1, '63 ; Joseph S. Campbell to Non-commissioned 
Staff, March 25, '65 ; promoted to Second Lieutenant, May, 
1865 ; not mustered ; Richard Laycox to Non-commis- 
sioned Staff, as chief musician, May 1, '63 ; James Maddox 
to company H, Nov. 15, '62 ; Joseph Rogers to company 
H, Nov. 15, '62 ; Uriah V. Ryan to Veteran Reserve Corps, 
April 1, '65 ; Thomas J. Simpson to company H, Nov. 15, 
'62 ; William D. Stephens to Non-commissioned Staff, Dec. 
13, '64 ; James H. Tucker, Thomas P. Whalen and Samuel 
Watts to company H, Nov. 15, '62. 

Discharged for Disability. — Joseph Britton, no date; Al- 
len L. Burress, Jan. 25, '65; Abner J. Bird, May 3, '65; 
John Cnopelinkx, July 11, '62; Jarvis S. Cox, Aug. 12, '62; 
John E. Dwyre, March 11, 63 ; Asher B. Ely, Aug. 25, '62 ; 
Joseph Grleason, Aug. 25, '62; Marion Hartwell, May 19, 
'65; William H. H. Kennedy, Oct. 3, '62; Jacoo Lofiand, 
July 9, '62; John P. Lyons, Aug. 7, '62; William Lyon, 
Oct. 21, '62; Alonzo Mootz, Sept. 10, '62; Henry C. Na- 
tion, June 19, '65; Silas Peterson, Aug. 18, '62; Joseph 
Potts, Oct. 10, '62; Charles Eidenour, Oct. 3, '62; Frank 
Ridenour— no date ; William M. Shafer, Aug. 22, '62. 

Discharged on Expiration of Term of Service prior to July 
13, 1865. — First Sergeants Wesley K. James, Albert B. 
Baird ; Sergeants — Samuel Devoss, Gideon Howe, Ira 
Hartwell, Daniel W. Potts, Marcus L. Newland, John W. 
Teverbaugh, William Wehrly; Corporals — James Wood- 
worth, George W. Easter, Leonard Young, James W. Gal- 
leher. Price J. Jones, Daniel Cooper, Silas Richey, George 
A. Growl, Samuel J. Bunger; Privates — George W. Berry, 
William A. Brown, Truman Bowker, James P. Brow^n, 
Henry Baker, Aaron E. Bunger, Henry A. Bunger, Dan- 
iel J. Banta, Oreon Clark, Moses Clark, George W. Cun- 
ningham, Thomas Doyal, John A. Ford, William H. Fur- 
nier, Elisha Gleason, John Givens, John Gleason, James 
Groves, James Gumming, Samuel M. Hayward, Robert 
Inscho, Augustus Jones, John E. Jones, Caleb S. Jeffries, 
Davis ¥j. James, William Klein, Alexander Mann, Guilford 
G. Nichols, John W. Porter, James T. Pitts, Wiley Peter- 



EIGHTY FIRST OHIO INFAxNTRY VOLS--COMPANY G. 187 

son, Samuel J. Rogers. Chirk Richards William H Stiles, 
Sylvester Shipman, William Wagoner, Noah Wehrly. 

Omcers Assigned to Company i^.— Captain I)avid S. Van 
Pelt May 17, '64; Captain W. A. Johnson, April 25, b5; 
Lieutenant Thomas j! Harbaugh, 1864; Lieutenant Wil- 
liam M. Murphy, Aug. 15, 'G4. 

ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF COMPANY G. 81ST OHIO. OK- 
gInIZED at lima, OHIO, OCTOBER, 1862. BY CAPTAIN 
GEORGE W. OVERMYEB. 

Captain George W. Overmyer, First Lieutenant Caleb 
J. Sprague, Second Lieutenant Mathew A. Ferguson. 

Serqeants.—Tiv^t Sergeant Thomas J. Harbaugh ; Fred- 
erick Tester, Samuel Dotson, William H. Richardson, Amos 
J. Nichols. 

Corporals.— :io\ixi H. Benton, Walter Knapp, William 
Parrish David Brandt, Andrew R. Sakemiller, Josiah 0. 
Davy Edwin D. Randall, Robert S. Marshall. 

JfMkcians.— Leonard L. Spach, Isaiah Westbay. 

Teamster. — William V. Beatty. 

Privates,— Q^QOvgQ Arnold, Joseph Boker Lester A ^Bab- 
cock, Francis M. Blew, George W. Bunn, Joseph T. Bush- 
ong, John F. Bogart, George Barrick, Lewis Bellinger, An- 
thoAy Bowsher, John Q. Baker, John W. Boston Paul 
Baeliler, Samuel D. Bolender, Henry Conkle, Samuel Camp- 
bell, Seth Campbell, William Campbell, Samuel D C ip- 
pinger, Isaac Conkle, Thomas Doyle, Samuel R. Detwiler, 
Peter Edmonds, Beniah Fleming, Lafayette Fruchey Dan- 
iel W Frazee, David E. Fritz, Elmer Hartshorn, Vinson 
S Hance, William H. Kennell, William Kimble, Benjamin 
Knapp, Robert Kiracofe, William Kindred Adam Kinsel, 
Joseph Lilley, David Lininger, Levi Lytle, William H. 
Lytle, Franklin Light, James Leslie, Abram Laman, John 
McComb, David McCallister, Philip Munch, Ephraim Mor- 
ey Andrew Miller, Benjamin McBride, James Mills^Chas. 
Nimo, William Osman, Daniel Overholser John O Neal, 
Christopher Overholser, Daniel W. Pence, Michael Phi bin, 
William P. Pritchard, Jeremiah Parker, John Reichelder- 
fer, Stephen Reed, Calvin C. Runyan, Francis J- Roby, 
Benjamin F. Sherrick, James D. Smith, William Shellen- 



188 HISTORY OF THE 

barger, Daniel Shappell, John G. Shappell, Nelson Shap- 
pell, Levi Stebelton, James H. Smith, Jacob J. Sakemiller, 
Williaai Starner, Louis Stocklen, John W. Stopher. Daniel 
F. Stemen, David Salyards, John Stritt, AYilliam Thomp- 
son, John F. Tunerman, Michael Whisler, Andrew Wago- 
ner, John Ward. 

Becruits. — Protector L. Mounts, Milton L. Mounts, Eman- 
uel Barriek, James C. Parker. Under-cook — Sam'l Wright. 

Promotions. — First Sergeant Thomas J. Harbaugh to 
Quartermaster-Sergeant, June 27, "64: ; to 2d Lieutenant, 
August 15, '64; to 1st Lieutenant, March 26, 1865; 
Sergeant S. Dotson to First Sergeant, June 27, '64 ; 
to Second Lieutenant, May, '65; not mustered. Cor- 
poral John H. Benton to' Sergeant, Jan. 31, '63; Corporal 
Walter Knapp to Sergeant, March 1, '63; Corporal A. R. 
Sakemiller to Sergeant, Jul}^ 1, '64; Corporal John Reich- 
eldei'fer to Scrgeimt, July 24, '64, for gallantry in action, 
July 22, '64. 

Killed in Action. — Samuel D. Clippinger, Aug. 7, '64, be- 
fore Atlanta; Philip Munch, Aug. 21, '64, before Atlanta. 

'Missing. — Daniel W. Frazee, Aug. 26, '64, before Atlan- 
ta ; supposed to have died in Andersonvillo prison. 

Bied of Wounds. — Sergeant Andrew R. Sakemiller, July 
24, '64, wounded before' Atlanta, July 22, '64; William H. 
Kennell, May 19, '64; wounded at Lay's Ferry, Ga., Ma}- 
14, '64; Joseph Lilley, June 4, '65, of injuries received on 
Railroad, Martinsbnrg, A^a. ; Ephraim Morey, June 8, '64; 
wounded at Dallas, Ga., May 30, '64; James K. Smith, 
June 18, '64, wounded at Lay's Ferry, Ga., May 14, 1864. 

Died of Disease. — Corporal Benjamin McBride. Pocahon- 
tas, Tenn., July 2, '63 ; William Parrish. Corinth, Miss., 
March 9, '63; Samuel Campbell, Corinth, MivSS., March 11, 
'63 ; William Campbell, Corinth, Miss., March 15, '63 ; Pe- 
ter Edmonds, Morehead City, N. C, Feb. 13, '65 ; Elmer 
Hartshorn, Rome, Ga., July 12, '64; Adam Kinsall, Atlan- 
ta, Ga., Aug. 10, '64; David Lininger, Memphis, Dec. 22, 
'63 ; James Leslie, Nashville, Nov. 2, '64; Andrew Miller, 
Corinth, Miss., March 8, '63 ; John O'Neal, Pocahontas, 
Tenn., Aug. 20, '63 ; Jeremiah Parker, Lee & Gordon's 
Mills, Ga., May 10. '64; Daniel F. Stemen, Corinth, Miss., 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS— COMPANY H. l89 

Feb 15 '63; William Shellenbarger, Corinth, Miss Mar. 
15 '63 ;' John Stritt, Corinth, Miss., July 28 '63 ; William 
Starner, Rome, Ga, Sept. 23, '64; Isaiah Westbay, Lima, 
Ohio, March 7, '64. 

Discharged for Disability. -Sergeant Amos J. Nichols, 
Jan. 28, '63 ; David Brandt, Jan. 14, '63 , George W. Eunn, 
Feb. 9, '65 Paul Buehler, June 9, '65; Seth Campbell, 
Sept. 19, '63; William F. Pritchard, Feb. 21, 63 ; Benja- 
min Knapp, June 5, '65 ; Nelson Shappell, Jan. 5, 6o. 

Transferred.— Vivst Sergeant Thomas J. Harbaugh to 
Non-commissioned Staff, promoted to Qmirtermaster Ser- 
geant. June 27, '64 ; Corporal Robert S. Marshall to Yet- 
tran Reserve Corps, April 1, '65 ; Lester A. Babcock to 
Veteran Reserve Corps— no date ; David Salyards to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps— no date. 

Discharged.— C'^Vinin George W. Overmyer, honorably 
discharged, (physical disability,) Nov. 10, '64; First Lieu- 
tenant CalebJ.Sprague, honorably discharged. Special 
Order, No. 15. War Department, Jan 10, '65 ; Second Lieu- 
tenant M. A." Ferguson, honorably discharged July iU, bd. 

ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF COMPANY H, 81ST OHIO, OR- 
GiNIZEi) m ADAMS AND SCIOTO COUNTIES OHIO. 
AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1862, BY CAPTAIN W. C 
HENRY. 

Captain W. C. Henry; First Lieutenant Wesley B. 
Guthrie ; Second Lieutenant Robert E. Roney. 

Sergeants.-lst Sergeant William M. Murphy ; Harry C. 
Doddridge, Robert S. Anderson, William Gr. Bradford, 

Daniel Wehrley. n t u tj 

Corporals.-J ohn R. Baird, William Bridwell John B. 
Youn<>- William E. Walker, John N. Morfin, Harlan P. 
Maxv^ell, William A. Worley, William H. Howard. 
Musicians.—^ ohn Edmiston, David A. Bridwell. 
Pj^l^ates.— Albert Arthurs, George Adkins, Thomas 
Armstrong, John Boynton, William Burns Isaac P. Clark, 
George W Cook, Silas H. Clark, John L. Cox, Ross Court- 
nev, David Carter, Elisha Decker, Warren J. Dear, Wm. 
J Ferguson, William H. H. Finton, Andrew H. Giffoi^, 
John C. Horner, Christopher Hockaden, Yalentme H. 
Hafer Thomas Hutchinson, Alfred W. Hastings, Jacob C. 



190 ' HISTORY OF THE 

Hurlen, William Jones, Xanthus M. Kennedy, William J. 
Kindall, William King (1st,) Stephen Kirkendall, Wm. 
King (2d,) George W. Kirkpatrick, Moses Likens, Allen 
Lewis, Benjamin Manley, Samuel Morrison, Ezekiel Monk, 
James Moore, David A. Murphy, William Monk, Jesse 
Monk, Sampson Milliron, George W. Milliron, John 
McGinn, James K. Manley, Christopher Oppy, William F. 
Oppy, James Peyton, Rufus F. Pauley, John Riley, Na- 
thaniel Riley, Peter Rile}^, George Riley, William Riley, 
Robert M. Rogers, Philip Smiley, John Smiley, Alpheus 
Smith, Francis A. Swearingen, James H. Sloan, John 
Southard, Isaac 0. Thompson, Joseph R. Thompson; Miles 
P. Thompson, Christopher J. Thompson, AYilliam Thomp- 
son, Isaac Thomason, William Tucker, Francis M. Tum- 
bleson, Charles Tumbleson, Xanthus W. Tracy, Franklin 
Tracy, George Yastine, William Walk. 

Recruits. — John Price, Aaron Clark ; of '65, James 
McNeil, John O. D. Ryan, Patrick Leary, Christian 
Oeks, Eric Zackish, McDonald. 

Transferred from Company F, Nov. Ist, 1862. — Joseph 
Rogers, James H. Tucker, James Maddox, Samuel T. 
Watts, Thomas J. Simpson, Thomas P. Whalen. 

Promotions. — Captain W. C. Henry to Major, Nov. 1, '64 ; 
Lieutenant W. B. Guthrie to Captain, May 18, '64; Lieu- 
tenant R. E. RoNEY to First Lieutenant, May 18, '64; 
First Sergeant,'AVilliam M. Murphy to Sergeant-Major, 
July 1, 1864; to Second Lieutenant, Aug. 15, '64; to First 

Lieutenant, '65 ; Sergeant Daniel Wehrle}^ to First 

Sergeant, ; to Second Lieutenant, May, 1865, not 

mustered ; Corporal Miles P. Thompson to Sergeant, for 
meritorious conduct, Maj^ 10, '65. 

Killed in Action. — James Maddox, July 22, '64 ; James 
K. Manley, Aug. 11, '64, before* Atlanta. 

Died from Wounds — Corporal Wm. H. Howard, May 31, 
'64, wounded at Rome Cross Roads, May 16, '64 ; Corporal 
Samuel T. Watts, May 25, '64, wounded at Rome Cross 
Roads; Elisha Decker, Aug. 5, '64, wounded before At- 
lanta, July 22, '64. 

Died of Disease. — Thomas Hutchinson, October 9, '62, 
Camp Lima, Ohio; Isaac P. Clark, Feb, 14, '63, Corinth, 
Miss.; Francis M. Tumbleson, March 5, '63, Corinth, Miss.; 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS — COMPANY I. 191 

John McGinn, April ,4 '63, Corinth, Miss.; Samuel Morri- 
son, July 3, '63, Corinth, Miss.; Isaac 0. Thompson, Aug, 
31, '63, Memphis, Tenn.; Wm. T. Oppy, Aug. 6, '63, Jeffer- 
son Barracks, Mo.; George Adkins, April 7, '64, Lynnville, 
Tenn.; Christopher Oppy, Sept. 14, '64, Rome, Ga. 

Discharged for Disability. — Ezekiel Monk, Nov. 25, '62 
George W. Kirkpatrick, March 6, '63. 

Discharged to accept Promotion. — Corporal Harlan P 
Maxwell, June 5, '63 ; received appointment in colored 
Regiment ; William King, (2d,) Jan. 1, '64, appointed 
Chaplain, colored regiment; Sergeant William G. Brad- 
ford, Jan. 21, '64, received commission in colored regi- 
ment. 

Resigned. — Lieutenant Robert E. Roney, Oct., '64. 

Captured. — Sergeant Harry C. Doddridge, at Rome Cross 
Roads, May 16, '64 ; released April 28, '65, tendered com- 
mission of First Lieutenant. 

ORIGIN All MEMBERS OF COMPANY I, 81ST OHIO, OR- 
GANIZED AT GREENFIELD, OHIO. BY CAPTAIN GIB- 
SON, IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1862. 

Captain James Gibson, First Lieutenant Hugh K. S. 
Robinson, Second Lieutenant, James C. Crawford. 

Sergeants. — First Sergeant Thomas N. Sellers; Charles 
J. Bell, Hamilton J. Sellers, John N. Hays, John A. 
Schum. 

Corporals. — William G. Moore, Thomas A. Blain, Alex- 
ander M. Long, John L. Anderson, William J. Parrett, 
John R. Porter, John T. Collier, Robert J. McAlpin. 

Musicians. — John S. Miller, Archibald S. Middleton. 

Teamster. — Mahlon C. Swan. 

Privates. — Stephen T. Allen, James C. Anderson, David 
M. Allemang, John S. Baker, James N. Beatty, George 
Beeler, Josiah Binns, James M. Binns, Mason Ft. Blizzard, 
George A. Buchanan, Jacob Burst, Daniel Campbell, Ben- 
jamin Campbell, William CaflPee, Lafayette Coffey, Mitchell 
G. Collier, James A. Collier, William W. Crawford, George 
Crawford, David Crawford, Jonas Crawford, Lorenzo D. 
Crute, Elijah G. Davis, George W. Day, James M. Dolohan, 
Benjamin Eddyburn, Peter Egan, Joseph S. Fernau, James 
H. Freshour, Thomas N. Ghormley, John W. Griffith, 
Jesse Harper, James Heavilin, George W. Heslep, John E. 
A. Hi miller, Isaiah Hudnell, Junius Hudnell, Garland 



192 HISTORY OF THE 

King, Peter J. Kline, George A. Kline, George W. Knedler, 
John W. Knedler, Alexander F. Leake, James M. Lemon, 
Henry Long, Alexander Long, Eichard Lucas, John W. 
Mains, William Martin, Jacob McFarland, Joseph McClain, 
Eobert McDill, Edward McGuire, Wm. E. McCreary, Wm. 
August Meier, Jacob M. Meier, Allison B. Michael, Zacha- 
riah W. Michael, Aurelius C. Middleton, Henry T. Mussel- 
man, Peter Miles, John S. Mj^ers, Henry C. ^Jevin, James 
M. Naylor, Joseph H. Nixon, Marcus T. Parrett, Cornelius 
C. Platter, George H. Reed, Henry Kobinson, Alexander 
B. Rogers, Joseph Schum, William W. Stoops, Philip 
Stoops, Andrew Stout, William B. Sum.mersett, Henry R. 
Templeton, Joseph M. Tudor, William H. AYaugh, George 
W. Wise, William L. Wise, Bernard Witte, Harry H. 
Workman, Grant S. Wright. 

Becruits.—(IS64:) William R. Barrett, (1865) James 
Wise. John Krautz, Theodore Lorenthal, John L. Rob- 
ertson. 

Promotions. — Second Lieutenant, James C. Crawford 
to First Lieutenant, Sept. 13, '64; to Captain, March 26, 
'65; 1st Serg't T. N. Sellers to 2d Lieutenant, June 27, '64; 
to 1st Lieut., Mar. 27, '65 ; Sergt. J. N. Hays to 1st Sergt., 
June 27, '64; to Quartermaster Sergt., Sept. 1, '64; to 1st 
Lieut., Mar. 26, '65; appointed Regimental Quartermasto'r, 
Apr. 25, '65 ; Private C. C. Platter to Quartermaster Sergt., 
March 1, '63; to Second Lieutenant, June 27, '64; to 
First Lieutenant and Adjutant, Nov. 1, '64; to Captain, 
March 28, '65 ; Corporal Alexander M. Long, to Sergeant, 
Sept. 27, '64 ; Corporal John T. Collier to Sergeant, Aug. 
10, '64; to 1st Sergeant, Sept. 1, '64; to Quartermaster 
Sergeant, May 24, '65; to Second Lieutenant, May, '65, 
not mustered ; Corporal R. J. McAlpin to Sergeant, Dec. 

21, '63; Sergeant John B. Schum to 1st Sergeant, June 16, 
'65; Private P. J. Kline to Corporal, June 27, '64; to 
Sergeant, Nov. 1, 64; Private Elijah G. Davis to Corporal, 
"Nov. 1, '64 ; to Sergeant, June 16, '65 ; Private J. M. Meier, 
to Corporal, Sept. 13, '64; to Sergeant, June 27, '65. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal George A. Buchanan, July 

22, '64, before Atlanta ; David M. Allemang, July 22, '64, 
before Atlanta; George A. Kline, July 22, '64, before 
Atlanta; Jacob McFarland, July 22, '64, before Atlanta. 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS — COMPANY I. 193 

Died of Wounds. — Mason R. Blizzard, Sept. 2. '64, 
wounded near Jonesboro', Sept. 1, '64; Benjamin Camp- 
bell, Oct. 19; wounded near Atlanta, Aug. 25, '64; Alex- 
F. Leake, July 23, '64; wounded near Atlanta, July 2^, 
'64. 

Died of Disease. — Sergeant A. M. Long, Atlanta, Aug. 
9, '64 ; Corporals William G. Moore, Corintb, Miss., Nov, 
27, '62 ; Thomas A. Blain, Corinth, Miss., March 19, '63 ; 
Thomas N. Ghormley, Greenfield, O., March 9, '64 ; Wm. 
H. Waugh, Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov, 17, '64. 

Privates. — James M. Binns, Allatoona, Ga., July 9, '64; 
Josiah Binns, Marietta, Ga., July 31, '64 ; William R. 
Barrett, Marietta, Ga., July 31, '64 ; Lafayette Coffey, 
Stevenson, Ala., March 27, '64; Mitchell G. Collier, Cor- 
inth, Miss., Feb. 10, '63; George W. Day, Corinth, Miss.; 
April 4, '63; Edward McGuire, Corinth, Miss., May 26, '63 : 
Robert McDill, New York City, May 5, '65 ; George H. 
Eeed, Corinth, Miss., March 19, '63; Henry Robinson, 
Corinth, Miss., June 6, '63 ; Alexander B. Rogers, Corinth, 
Miss., April 18, '63 ; William W. Stoops, Marietta, Ga., 
Aug. 18, '64 ; Archibald B. Middleton, Allatoona. Ga., July 

15, '64. 

Discharged for Disability. — Corporal W. J. Parrett, May 

16, '65 ; George Beeler, March 7, '63 ; William W. Craw- 
ford, May 16, '65 ; James M. Dolohan, Jan. 17, '65 ; James 
Heavilin, Dec. 1, '64; John W. Knedler, Jan. 1, 64; 
James M. Lemon, June, '65 ; Aurelius C. Middleton, May 
16, '65 ; Bernard Witte, June 20, '65 ; Major Willis, (un- 
der-cook,) May 16, '65. 

Discharged for Promotion. — T. N. Sellers, commissioned 
Second Lieutenant, June 27, '64; H. H. Workman, ap- 
pointed First Lieutenant 111th U. S. Colored Infantry, 
Jan. 29, '64. 

Transferred. — J. N. Hays, Sept. 8, '64, to Non-Commis- 
sioned Staff; John T. Collier to Non-Commissioned Staff, 
June 15, '65 ; C. C. Platter to Non-Commissioned Staff, 
March 1, '63. 

Resigned. — Capt. James Gibson, (discharged for disabil- 
ity,) March 27, 1865; First Lieutenant H. K. S. 
Robinson, (discharged for disability; wounded at battle 
of Atlanta, July 22, '64,) Nov. 11, '64. 

16 



194 HISTOBY OF THE 

EXTRACTS FROM MUSTER-OUT ROLL OF COMPANY K, 
ORGANIZED AT GALION. O., AUGUST, 1862, BY CAP- 
TAIN B. F. MATTHIAS. 

Original Officers. — Captain B. F. Matthias, resigned, 
Dec. 31, '62; First Lieutenant Charles Lane, promoted 
to Captain, Feb. 20, '63 ; killed in the battle of Atlanta, 
July 22, '64 ; Second Lieutenant Hezekiah Hoover, pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant, Feb. 20, '63 ; killed in the bat- 
tle of Atlanta, July 22, '64. 

Promotions. — First Sergeant John Allaback to Second 
Lieutenant, Dec. 31, '62; to First Lieutenant, Aug. 18, '64 ; 
to Captain, May 25, '65; Sergeant Thomas H. Imes to 

First Sergeant, 1863; to Second Lieutenant, Aug. 19, 

'64; to First Lieutenant, March 27, '65; Sergeant Jacob 
Young to First Sergeant, Aug. 19, '64 ; to Second Lieu- 
tenant, May 24, '65. 

Enlisted Men mustered out with the Megiment July 13fA, 
1865. — Sergeants. — First Sergeant John H. Coulter; Wm. 
C. Quigley, Hugo Rehm, Peter Snyder, James Casey. 

Corporals. — Joseph J. Smart, John R. Stoller, Andrew 
W. Kerr, Samuel Brokaw, Montgomery "Wise, John Schei- 
der, Jacob Smith, Jacob H. Eby. 

Musicians. — Daniel Cherry, Samuel Mobley. 

Privates. — Levi Asman, 33elevan Brewer, John Betsch, 
"William F. Brokaw, Thomas J. Burwell, John Burkhart, 
"William Burnison, Frederick Betsch, Samuel Coulter, 
Christian Craner, William B. Dickey, Justus Dye, David 
L. Elder, John P. Emerson, Louis Flick, George Fry, 
^oah Finical, Charles S. Garberick, Matthias Ginther, 
Jacob Hill, Benjamin Hoffstetter, Harrison Harding, Geo. 
Harmon, Adam Howard, Aubert E. Humiston, Samuel 
James, James S. Johnson, Joseph Mutchler, Samuel Med- 
ley, "William Miller, Michael Newhouse, Samuel Pittman, 
John Quigley, Jonas Eoss, David Eeece, William Eeece, 
Isaac Shumaker, James Stall, Henry Schneider, Thomas 
W. Snyder, Jacob B. Snyder, George Steinhelfer, Asa 
Savage, William Snyder, Jacob H. Sulser, Samuel Spiegle, 
Francis M. Sunderlin, Jacob Wonas, John Wert. 

Becruits of 1865. — Lemuel Brush, William Butcher, Ed- 
win Fullen wider, George Putnam, Isaac Rust, William 
Roach, John A. Smith, Adam Wisenger. 

Killed in Battle. — Benton Karr, John Noblit. 

,7)/er/.— Archibald C. Karr, Corinth, Miss., Dec. 1, '62; 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS — COMPANY K. 195 

Martin McClellan, Pocahontas, Tenn., October 12, '63 ; 
Samuel Gr. Bowlby, Corinth, Miss., Feb. 22, 'C3 ; Martin 
Elder, Acworth, Ga., June 9, '64; William Gifford, Poca- 
hontas, Tenn., July 5, '63 ; John K. Garberick, Memphis, 
Tenn., July 13, '68 ; Joseph Hopkins, Corinth, Miss., Feb. 
10, '63 ; James W. Igow, Corinth, Miss., July 21, '63; 
Shannon Lance, Corinth, Miss., Sept. 6, '63 , James 
Nelson, Mound City, 111,, Dec. 4, '63; George A. Poish, 
Marietta, Ga., July 19, '64; John Reed, Marietta, Ga., 
Aug. 1, '64. 

Discharged for Disability. — James IST. Kussell, Sept. 19, 
'63; Abraham Shumaker, Oct. 8, '63; Samuel Shaffer, 
Feb. 4, '65; Martin L. Shall, Feb. 21, '65. 

Discharged upon expiration of term of service. — Stephen Has- 
ford, June 12, '65; John Madlam, June 3, '65; Michael 
Tracht, May 3, 65 ; Martin L. Teeple. May 31, '65 ; Eli 
^Y. Winters, May 3, '65 ; Cline J. Wolff, June 21, '65. 

Transferred. — Walker W. McClain to Non-Commissioned 
Staff, September 1, '62. 

COMPAWY B, ORGANIZED AT CINCINNATI, O., MABCH 24, 

1865. 

Captain, Ira Pfoutz, First Lieutenant, David Kinsey, 
Second Lieutenant, Gideon Howe. 

Sergeants — James H. Tucker, promoted to Second Lieu- 
tenant, May, '65; not mustered; Ira B. Links, Samuel 
Devoss, Charles Miller, Linden Martz, 

Corporals. — Charles IST. Harding, William Punches, 
Charles Bosserd, Samuel Touran, John Sullivan, Samuel 
S. Nelson. 

Musician. — Henry G. Snyder. 

Privates. — John Acherman, David Bennett, Ferdinand 
Berkle, Frederick Berger, Joseph Berger, Joseph Branch, 
Eeed Brush, James Brush, Anton Burr, Daniel Capp, 
Frank Casey, Henry Clouser, William H. Crawford, Elias 
Davis, Daniel K. Drake, Bulser Duvirnger; Thomas H. 
Davenport, Downs Eby, Nathaniel Flanegan, Charles 
Flater, Levi Ford, Martin Gallagher, Edward Garber, 
Samuel Galey, Thomas H. Gibson, Eobert Hare, Frede- 
rick Hill, Eeuben Houst, John W. Hicks, David Ibert, 
Geo. Ihemer, Lot B. Jay, James L. Johnson, Geo. W. Keifa- 



196 HISTORY OF THE 

ber, William Linn, Elias F. Long, Michael McHugh, John 
H. McKinney, Frederick Meyer, John Moore, Adam Mur- 
phy, Uriah T. Nace, Andrew Nisironger, James K. P. 
Nicholas, Benjamin M. Page, George Petry, John Poison, 
Henry Eesor, ^Y. H. Eeynolds, James Eeed, Henry C. H. 
Eowe, William Eoss, Levi Eoutsing, Patrick Eyan, Jacob 
Sickner, Jas. A. Smith, William Smith, Albert J. Sprinkle, 
James E. Sturtsman, Joseph Snow, Jonathan M. Tress- 
ler, Geo. Wilson, Augustus Wissinger, Samuel L. Watson. 

Died. — Lewis Cook, Newbern, N. C, May 5, '65 ; Geo. 
Deitwiler, Kinston, N. C, March 27, '65; Philip Stifler, 
Louisville, Ky., June 27, '65. 

Dkcharged for Disability. — Edward Good, June 3, '65 ; 
Samuel Eowe, June 8 ; Eufus Williams, July 4, '65. 

Promoted^ — Second Lieutenant Ira Pfoutz to Captain, 
May 24, '65 ; Second Lieutenant Gideon Howe to First 
Lieutenant, May 25, '65. 



COMPANY C, OBGANIZED AT CINCINNATI, OHIO. FEB- 
KUARY 14, '65. 

Captain Eufus K. Darling ; First Lieutenant Price J. 
Jones ; Second Lieutenant, Seth Dixon. 

Sergeants. — First Sergeant John D. Niswinger, promoted 
to Second Lieutenant, May, '65 ; not mustered ; James H. 
Forsyth, Joseph Wiley,Charle8 H. Withers,John Anderson. 

Corporals — Albert A. Ward, William J. Compton, Evan 
Lewis, William Dornbush, John Whalon, William T. 
Price, Uriah B. Malott, 

Teamster.— J Simes F. Pitts. 

Pma^cs.— William Alexander, Patrick Blake, George W. 
Barns, Andrew J. Bays, Gean Bernard, William Barrett, 
James Cordell, George D. Cramer, William J. Chapman, 
Robert H. Edwards, James H. Evans, Thomas Edwards, 
Jackson D. Forsyth, Michael Fallon, Bennett J. Fenner, 
William Ford, Barnhart Flack, William Finke, George 
W. Fritz, John T. Graham, William Glasgow, Charles 
Harden, Edward D. Hudson, Jeremiah T. Herron, Wm. 
Hitchens, Wm. B. Jones, Henry J. Kerr, John King, 
Joseph M. Kremer, Theodore Klingshore, AVilliam Lighter, 
Daniel McDermott, William McAifee, Samuel M. Mitchell, 



EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLS-LIST OF WOUNDED. 197 

George Miesel, Alfred Quails, Joseph Eogers, Sylvanus 
Ruse, John Eandolph, George W. Eandalls, Edwin P. 
Eollins, Moses B. Stout, William H. Sellers, James Shan- 
non, Peter Shannon, Emrich Smith, Thomas Self, Clinton 
Sullenberger, Homer Sheely, William F. Taylor, William 
H. Turner, Carey A. Wikoff, Jared Wallace, George Wil- 
liams, Eudolph Zaspel, John S. Zinkhorn. 

Died.— Burr Taylor, Louisville, June 21, '65. 

Discharged— In compliance with War Department order, 
James A. Bassett. 

Transferred.— J. H. Bueltel, appointed principal musician- 
transferred to Non-Commissioned Staff; Samuel A. Baird 
to Company H; First Lieutenant P. J. Jones to Company 
H, June 29, '65. 

Promoted.— Second Lieutenant Seth Dixon to First 
Lieutenant. 



LIST OF WOUI^DED. 

Battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862. 

James H. Corns, company B ; William A. Johnson, John 
Mader, Elijah Furry, David Y. Lyttle and F. A. Sayre, 
company C ; W. D. Tyler, Oliver H. P. Eeed, Sam'l Doam 
and Jacob Miller, company D ; Lewis Swearingen, Jacob 
Gensel, Frank McGinnis and Martin F. Kintz, company E ; 
George Easter, John Dwyer, Charles Willby and Charles 
Eidenour, company F ; John E. Chamberlin, Sergeant- 
Major. Total, 19. 

Battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862. 

See pages 32 and 33. Total, 44. 

Battles of Oostenaula and Rome Cross Roads, May 14, 
15 and 16, 1864. 

Jesse W. Baird, William Adams, Aaron Zircle and E. 
K. Darling, company A; Gideon Ditto, Washington Mar- 
tin and D. H. Bush, company B ; John C. McAlpin and 
John A. Wilson, company C ; E. C. Longabaugh, company 



198 HISTORY OF THE 

D ; Frank Eidenour, A. B. Baird, M. Bowker, Eobert In- 
scho, Clark Eichards, Samuel J. Eogers, Durbin French, 
and William Furnier, company F ; William Kennell and 
James K. Smith, company G-; Samuel T. Watts, William 
Kindell, John Boynton and William H. Howard, company 
H ; Henry Nevin. Gr. W. Wise and Thomas N. Sellers, com- 
pany I ; S. Shaffer and Joseph Mutchler, company K ; 
Major Frank Evans. Total, 29. 

Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. 

Lieutenant H. K. S. Eobinson, company I; E. W. Yance, 
Henry Garee, John Miller and Samuel Mottier, company 
A; Gideon Ditto, J. W. Peltier, M. D. Mason, Thomas A. 
Maltbie and W. T. Caskey, company B ; Calvin P. McClel- 
land, Noble B. Caldwell and John M. Estle, company C ; 
Eobert M. Eeed, Patrick Kelly, Thomas P. Cooper and 

D. A. Hagerman, company D ; A. Monesmith, Eeuben 
White, L. Stevenson, James M. Potterf and Jacob Cail, 
company E ; Samuel Devoss, Ira Hartwell, Leonard Young, 
J. E. Thompson, W. A. Stiles, James Woodworth, Jacob 

E. Minnick and John A. Ford, company F ; A. E. Sake- 
miller, George W. Bunn, Vinson S. Hance and John Arn- 
old, company G; W. J. Ferguson, B. Kennedy, E. Decker, 
T. J. Simpson and James Peyton, company H ; John B. 
Schum, James H. Freshour, William L. Wise, Junius Hud- 
nell, John W. Griffith and Jacob M. Meier, company I ; 
Samuel Brokaw, A. J. Smart, Samuel Spiegle, Harrison 
Harding, William Eeese, Henry Snyder, Jacob Sulser and 
Isaac Shumaker, company K. Total, 53. 

Miscellaneous. 

Before Atlanta, Aug., 1864, Captain W. H. Hill ; David 
B. Buckles and Frederick Conkle, company A ; U. B. 
Rush, company C ; S. Strubridge, company E ; W. A. 
Brown, company F ; Jonesboro, Aug. 31, Colonel E. N. 
Adams, Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Titus ; David C. John- 
son, company C ; William Craw^ford, company I ; North 
Carolina, 1865, S. T. Wiley and John M. Henness, com- 
pany C ; E. McDill, company I ; Noah Finical and Thom- 
as J. Burwell, comany K. Total, 15. 

Whole number wounded, 160. ' 

Note.— The "miscellaneous" portion of this list is far from complete, but 
it could not be made fuller. The whole number of wounded a mounts to more 
than one hundred and sixty. » 

^ RD-94 i 



o 

I— I 
H 

I— I 

< 
O 

Ph 



1 


CO iM ?^ OT CO ^ 

1— 1 1— 1 r-i CO 




• • r-t. i-H * i-l 




I I CO CO eo o 


|M ^ : s s -* s 




-14 CO 00 ^ O XO 
I-H CM 7-( CO 




(M CO OS -* <^^ <» 


t 


•^ ^ ^ ^ «> gs 


t 


^ -^ s s s ^ 




„ o t- o ;^ ^ 




Tl< lO O O Oi CO 

^ ^ ,-1 CO 


di 

1^ 


^ C, ,^- CO ^ ^ 


di 


*- '^ S S 53 ^ 




; ! t> t^ -.*. ^ 

• . r-( I-H rH CO 


CO 

2 


• 1-4 1-H «0 CO 




a 
« 


1 

o 


T3 
O 


1 
a> 

1 


> 
a; 

s 


1 

. .2 
«^ 

M 

a) 

1 


















^ "> 



A-^ 



^ %/ .-^^^ %.,^^ ,^^ %/- i 



i°-n*.. 



i°-n*.. 







0^ t^rv^' <;= 



A^ r. « " <» * <S' 



' ^Vv 



't^^o^ 






^.-:t.- c 
















^o 



^^^^^-: 






V. '^^. :^ .':,cv^^ 



xV- 



^.v,,, 



>-,'="^^, 









'^^U3^\ 





■"-./'. #fe'%.*^ 




M A V '■: : 

ST. AUGUSTINE 









